Self-assembly of octadecyltrichlorosilane films on mica

Self-assembled films of Octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) have been deposited on freshly cleaved mica. A combination of argon plasma pretreatment, long adsorption times in solution, and a posttreatment at a moderate temperature (60°C) were required to form homogeneous OTS layers exhibiting good adherence to the mica. This process is more complex than the procedure required to form similar layers on glass. Advancing contact angles of water droplets ranged from 113 to 116°, with receding angles of 107 to 110°.