the present invention relates to functionalized silicon and / or germanium surfaces , methods for the preparation of such tailor - made functionalized silicon and / or germanium surfaces , the use of such tailor - made functionalized silicon and / or germanium surfaces for the preparation of surface - bonded organic materials and the use in industrial devices . the silicon and / or germanium surfaces comprise silicon nitride , silicon carbide , germanium nitride , germanium carbide and silicon germanium surfaces .