Autophobic Dewetting of a Poly(methyl methacrylate) Thin Film on a Silicon Wafer Treated in Good Solvent Vapor

The wettability of thin poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films on a silicon wafer with a native oxide layer exposed to solvent vapors is dependent on the solvent properties. In the nonsolvent vapor, the film spread on the substrate with some protrusions generated on the film surface. In the good solvent vapor, dewetting happened. A new interface formed between the anchored PMMA chains and the swollen upper part of the film. Entropy effects caused the upper movable chains to dewet on the anchored chains. The rim instability depended on the surface tension of solvent (i.e., the finger was generated in acetone vapor (gamma(acetone) = 24 mN/m), not in dioxane vapor (gamma(dioxane) = 33 mN/m)). The spacing (lambda) that grew as an exponential function of film thickness h scaled as similar to h(1.31) whereas the mean size (D) of the resulting droplets grew linearly with h.

Nucleation and growth of glycine crystals with controllable sizes and polymorphs on Langmuir-Blodgett films

Control of crystal polymorph and size is very important in many application fields. Herein we demonstrate that Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of stearic acid (SA) and octadecylamine (ODA) can serve as templates and generate different polymorphs of glycine crystals. In the neutral aqueous solutions, gamma-glycine crystallizes on LB films of ODA while the polymorphic outcome becomes the (x-form on LB films of SA. These observed results could be explained by the electrostatic interactions and geometric lattice matching at the LB film/crystal interfaces, respectively. By keeping the appropriate supersaturation, we have successfully controlled the number of crystals grown on LB films; for example, in some certain cases, only one piece of crystal was grown on LB films in solution. Therefore, large crystals of centimeter size could be prepared. These experimental results suggest a new approach to produce an organic crystal with bulk scale.

Nanocomposite multilayer film of preyssler-type polyoxometalates with fine tunable electrocatalytic activities

Through layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly technique, iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles coated by poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and Preyssler-type polyoxometalates (NH4)(14)NaP5W30O110.31H(2)O (P5W30) were alternately deposited on quartz and ITO substrates, and 4-aminobenzoic acid modified glassy carbon electrodes. Thus-prepared multilayer films were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. It was proved that the multilayer films are uniform and stable. And the electrocatalytic activities of the multilayer films can be fine-tuned by adjusting the assembly conditions in the LBL assembly process, such as the pH of the assembly solution. The multilayer films fabricated from P5W30 solutions dissolved in 0.1 M H2SO4 exhibit high electrocatalytic response and sensitivity toward the reduction of two substrates of important analytical interests, HNO2 and IO3- whereas the films assembled with P5W30 solutions dissolved in 1.0 M H2SO4 show remarkable electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Furthermore, the electrocatalytic properties of the HER of the latter film can be obtained from the former film upon exposure to 1.0 M H2SO4 for several hours.

An infrared study on Langmuir-Blodgett films of octadecylammonium octadecanoate: FWHM and the vibrational coupling

The monolayer of the mixture of octadecanoic acid and octadecylamine with molar ratio 1: 1 has been investigated at the air-water interface. It was found that the monolayer shows a rather stable state at the surface pressure of 30 mN/m and this monolayer can be transferred onto a CaF2 plate by Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. The infrared spectra of LB films indicated that octadecyl ammonium octadecanoate is formed by an intermolecular proton exchange between adjacent carboxylic and aminic groups (COO- and NH3+). In three-layer LB film, the CH2 scissoring mode of the long hydrocarbon chains of octadecyl ammonium octadecanoate shows a broad band feature at about 1468 cm(-1) while this vibrational mode of three-layer LB film of the mixture (1: 1) of deuterated stearic acid and octadecylamine (octadecylammonium octadecanoate-d35, C18H37NH3+C17D35COO-) only shows a narrow band. The broad feature of the CH2 scissoring mode in octadecylammonium octadecanoate probably originates from the coupling between the chain of stearic acid and that of octadecylamine while this kind of coupling could be completely removed in octadecylammonium octadecanoate-d35.

Fabrication, characterization and conductivity of organic-inorganic hybrid Langmuir-Blodgett films based on polyquinoline and rare earth-substituted heteropolymolybdate

The organic/inorganic hybrid Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films were obtained by the compact organization of poly(1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethyl)quinoline (PQ), octadecylamine (ODA) and rare earth-substituted heteropolymolybdates. They were characterized by surface pressure-area (pi-A) isotherms, absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The atomic force microscope revealed a granular surface texture of nanosized rare earth-substituted heteropolymolybdate. The scanning tunneling microscopy indicated that the hybrid LB films containing rare earth-substituted heteropolymolybdates had the better electrical conductivity than LB film of PQ/ODA.

Fabrication and characterization of hybrid Langmuir-Blodgett films of polyquinoline/stearic acid/rare earth-substituted heteropolymolybdate

Three kinds of hybrid Langmuir-Blodgett films are obtained by the organization of poly(1-hydro-2,2,4-trimethyl)quinoline (PQ), stearic acid(SA) and rare earth-substituted heteropolymolybdates (RE(PMo11)(2), RE = Ce-III, Eu-III, La-III) using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. They are characterized by pi-A isotherms, absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, IR and atomic force microscope. The absorption spectra indicate that the molecules of PQ and heteropolymolybdates are incorporated into the LB films. The atomic force microscope reveals that heteropolymolybdates aggregate at the surface of the LB film.

Use of atomic force microscopy for imaging the initial stage of the nucleation of calcium phosphate in Langmuir-Blodgett films of stearic acid

The nucleation of calcium phosphate on the substrate of steatic acid Langmuir-blodgett film at the initial stage was investigated by atomic force microscopy. Nano-dots, nano-wires and nano-islands were observed in sequence for the first time, reflecting the nucleation of calcium phosphate and the molecular arrangement of carboxylic layer. The nucleation rates perpendicular and parallel to the carboxylic terminal group were estimated from the height and diameter of the calcium phosphate crystals, respectively. And this stage was distinct from the late explosive grown stage, in which the change of the morphology was not obvious. The approaches based on this discovery would lead to the development of new strategies in the controlled synthesis of inorganic nano-phases and the assembly of organized composite and ceramic materials.

Study on highly ordered luminescent Langmuir-Blodgett films of heteropolytung state complexes containing lanthanide

Luminescent thin films of heteropolytungstate complexes containing lanthanide (europium or samarium) were successfully fabricated by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. The pressure-area isotherm of the monolayer of dimethyldioctadecylammonium. bromide (DODA) is modified rather markedly when the subphase contains the complex of Na9EuW10O36 or Na9SmW10O36. The above results indicate that the monolayer of DODA has a strong interaction with the polyanions of EuW10O369-. (or SmW10O369-). X-ray photoelectron spectra and fluorescent spectra verify that europium and tungsten atoms are 36 36 incorporated into the LB films. Ultraviolet (UV), fluorescent spectra and low-angle X-ray diffraction experiments demonstrate that these LB films have a well-defined lamellar structure. The LB film containing EuW10O369- can give off strong fluorescence 16 on UV irradiation. The characteristic emission behaviors of europium ions in LB films and in the powder of Na9EuW10O369- are discussed. It is found that the intensity ratio of the D-5(0)-F-7(2) transition to the D-5(0)-->F-7(1) transition in LB film is quite different from that in the powder of Na9EuW10O36. The difference of the ratio indicates that the site symmetry of europiurn is distorted in LB film, which is probably due to the strong electrostatic interactions between DODA and polyanions.

An organic-inorganic hybrid ultrathin film: preparation and characterization of copper phthalocyanine derivative-ferric oxide nanoparticles

A nanoparticulate ferric oxide-copper tris(2,4-di-tert-amylphenoxy)-8-quinolinolylphthalocyanine hybrid ultrathin film was constructed from alternate layers by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. The composition, morphology and structure of the film were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, small-angle X-ray diffraction, visible spectroscopy and polarized UV-Vis spectroscopy. All the above analyses suggest that the thin film is a kind of one-dimensional superlattice, composed of organic and inorganic components. The XPS data reveal that the nanoparticulate ferric oxide exists as an alpha-Fe2O3 phase in the films. Gas-sensing measurements show that the hybrid LB film has very fast response-recovery characteristics towards 2 ppm C2H5OH vapor.

Alternating LB film of ferric oxide nanoparticles-copper phthalocyanine derivative and its gas sensitivity

Nanoparticulate ferric oxide - tris - (2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy) - (8-quinolinolyl) copper phthalocyanine Langmuir-Blodgett Z-type multilayers were obtained by using monodisperse nanoparticle ferric oxide hydrosol as the subphase. XPS data reveal that the nanoparticle ferric oxide exist as alpha -Fe2O3 phase in the films. Transition electron microscopic (TEM) image of the alternating monolayer shows that the film was highly covered by the copper phthalocyanine derivative and the nanoparticles were arranged rather closely. IR and visible spectra all give the results that the nanoparticles were deposited onto the substrate with the copper phthalocyanine derivative. The gas-sensing measurements show that the alternating LB film had very fast response-recovery characteristic to 2 ppm C2H5OH gas, and also sensitive to larger than 200 ppm NH3.

Gas sensitivity of composite Langmuir-Blodgett films of Fe2O3 nanoparticle-copper phthalocyanine

The Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) composite films, ferric oxide nanoparticle composite with tris-(2,3-di-t-amylphenoxy)-(8-quinolinolinolyl) copper phthalocyanine (CuPcA(2)), were obtained by capped type and alternated type and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and visible spectra. The gas sensitivity of the composite films and the pure ferric oxide and pure CuPcA(2) LB films to ammonia and ethanol were measured at room temperature. The composite films could be used as the C2H5OH sensors in the range of 2-8 or 100-200 ppm. The XPS data suggested that the adduct complex NH3-CuPcA(2) was formed after the capped film was exposed to the detected gas of ammonia. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Luminescent properties of Langmuir-Blodgett films of europium bisphthalocyanine

Eu(III)-octa-4-(tetrahydrofurfuroxy) phthalocyanine (EuPc2') was synthesied and characterized by elementary analysis, IR, MS, UV-vis spectra. EuPc2' has good film-forming ability from determination of isotherm of pi-A. The complex LB film was formed by depositing of EuPc2' on a quartz slide with the LB techniques of the Z-type, The luminescent properties of pure and doped LS films were determined. The results showed that pure films have good luminescent properties, the thicker the LB films, the stronger the fluorescent intensity. The films doped with o-phenanthroline (abbreviated as phen) made the relative intensity of fluorescent emission behavior enhance in comparison to that of pure LB film, But the amount of phen may be not too much. Our results showed that EuPc2':phen = 1: 10 (molar ratio) has the best fluorescent behavior. The electronic spectroscopic characterization of the LB films is also given.

Preparation and properties of conducting polymer of doped polyaniline LB film

Stable monolayer of polyaniline doped with camphor sulfonic acid at the air-water interface has been obtained and has been successfully deposited by Langmuir-Blodgett technique onto CaF2 substrate. IR and UV-Vis-NIR spectra show that the doped molecules dedoped partially from the PANI backbone during the monolayer compression or deposition. Gas-sensing measurement indicates that the doped polyaniline LB film was sensitive to ethanol vapor at room temperature.

Preparation, structures, and electrochemistry of a new polyoxometalate-based organic/inorganic film on carbon surfaces

The preparation, structure, and electrochemical and electrocatalytical properties of a new polyoxometalate-based organic/inorganic film, composed of cetyl pyridinum 11-molybdovanadoarsenate (CPMVA) molecules, have been studied. Cyclic potential scanning in acetone solution led to a stable CPMVA film formed on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry were used for characterizing the structure and properties of the CPMVA film. These studies indicated that self-aggregated clusters were formed on a freshly cleaved HOPG surface, while a self-organized monolayer was formed on the precathodized HOPG electrode. The CPMVA film exhibited reversible redox kinetics both in acidic aqueous and in acetone solution, which showed that it could be used as a catalyst even in organic phase. The CPMVA film remained stable even at pH > 7.0, and the pH dependence of the film was much smaller than that of its inorganic film (H4AsMo11VO40) in aqueous solution. The CPMVA film showed strong electrocatalysis on the reduction of bromate, and the catalytic currents were proportional to the square of the concentration of bromate. The new kind of polyoxometalate with good stability may have extensive promise in catalysis.

Study of ferric oxide nanoparticles-tris-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)-(8-quinolinolyl) copper phthalocyanine composite LB film

The ferric oxide nanoparticles-tris-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)-(8-quinolinolyl) copper phthalocyanine (CuPcA(2)) composite ultrathin film was obtained by LB (Langmuir-Blodgett) technique. Structure of the composite LB film was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectra, transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectra and visible spectra. Gas sensitivity measurements indicate that the composite LB film is sensitive to 100-200 ppm C2H5OH at room temperature. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.