Metal ion binding to ferrocene peptide dendrimer films

Abstract

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of peptides molecules linked to a gold surface via gold-thiol linkages have received considerable attention [1-4]. Recently, the focus has shifted from understanding the formation and structure of such SAMs toward their application. Electrochemical sensing of metal ions using SAMs is such an application [5]. The ability to control the density and conformation of functional groups on surfaces have allowed the design of systems that exhibit some selectivity toward binding of certain metal ions, which is useful for chemical sensing [6,7], as well as for environmental cleanups [8]. © 2008 Springer New York.