Monte Carlo analysis of frequency domain thermoreflectance data for quantitative measurement of interfacial thermal conductance at solid-liquid interfaces modified with self-assembled monolayers

Abstract

A Monte Carlo method, implemented for quantifying confidence bounds on thermoreflectance (TR) measurements of interfacial thermal conductance G at solid-liquid interfaces modified with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) is presented in this paper. Here we used 1-decanethiol (1DT) and 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecanethiol (PFDT) SAMs to achieve two distinct work of adhesion. Using TR measurements in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulations, we determined G values to be 51 ± 7 MWm-2K-1, 58 ± 8 MWm-2K-1, and 72 ± 17 MWm-2K-1 for Au-PFDT-H2O, Au-1DT-H2O, and Au-H2O, respectively. Our results with the new confidence bounds position our experimental data on surfaces modified with SAMs comparable to literature. However, contrary to previous results shown in the literature, our data showed that a significant decrease in G can be seen for DI water on bare Au that was exposed in ambient for extended period. Our results indicate that G could be influenced by factors beyond a simple work of adhesion, an indication also seen from the work of Park et al. To solidify this finding, further investigation is necessary to better understand G dependence on surface wettability.