Despite their potential, several challenges remain in the research and application of SAMs:
Uniformity: Achieving a perfectly uniform monolayer over large areas can be challenging. Stability: While generally stable, some SAMs can degrade under certain conditions, such as high temperatures or exposure to UV light. Functionalization: The synthesis of molecules with specific terminal groups can be complex and costly. Characterization: Detailed characterization of SAMs at the molecular level requires advanced techniques, which can be resource-intensive.