Growth Dynamics of Self-Assembled Monolayers in Dip-Pen Nanolithography

Using molecular dynamics simulations, we studied the growth mechanism of self-assembled monolayers in
dip-pen nanolithography. A molecule dropping from the tip kicks out a molecule sitting on the substrate, and
the displaced molecule in turn kicks out a molecule next to it. This kicking propagates and finally stops when
it hits the periphery of the monolayer. This monolayer growth is faster than predicted from the previous
diffusion theory. Increasing the molecule−substrate binding strength enhances the molecular deposition rate
and makes the monolayer well-ordered.