Insight into the permeation barrier of glued Langmuir-Blodgett bilayers

Permeation measurements have been made for He, CO2, and N2 across single Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) bilayers derived from 1,2,4,5-tetrakis[(N-(undecanoamidoethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium) methyl]benzene tetrabromide (2) and 1,2,4,5-tetrakis[(N-(perfluoroundecanoamidoethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium)methyl]benzene tetrabromide (3) in the absence and in the presence of entrapped poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). In the absence of PAA, single LB bilayers of 3 show a higher permeance for He and N2 but a lower permeation rate of CO2, as compared with analogous LB bilayers made from 2. The relatively low permeation rate of CO2 for the former has been attributed to reduced associative interactions with the fluorocarbon-rich bilayer. The same behavior has also been observed for LB bilayers containing PAA, formed under conditions that yield glued bilayers of 2 and 3 having similar diffusional pathways, as judged by He/N2 selectivities. These results, together with the fact that glued bilayers of 2 (having a thinner PAA layer as compared with those made from 3) exhibit lower He and N2 permeances, provide compelling evidence that the main barrier for gas transport is the combination of surfactant plus PAA and not simply a thin PAA layer that is encased within the surfactant bilayer.     

FABRICATION OF HIGHLY HYDROPHOBIC FILMS OF POLY（3-HEXADECYL PYRROLE） NANOPARTICLES BY LANGMUIR-BLODGETT TECHNIQUE

Thin films of poly(3-hexadecyl pyrrole) (P3HDP) nanoparticles have been fabricated by using Langmuir-Blodgett film deposition technique. The structures and morphology of the films were studied by using infrared spectroscopy, scanning and transmission microscopes. The experimental results demonstrated that the nanoparticles were formed by self-assembling P3HDP at air-water surface. The water contact angles of these films with different deposition layers were measured to be as high as 110°.     

Micro- and nanopatterned copper structures using directed self-assembly on templates fabricated from phase-separated mixed Langmuir-Blodgett films

We report a versatile method to confine metal thin films in micro- and nanopatterns using directed self-assembly on the templates fabricated from phase-separated mixed Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films. The pattern of the mixed LB films can be tuned by adjusting intermolecular interaction between the film-forming molecules in the LB films and by varying the fabrication conditions of the films such as the mixing ratio, subphase temperature, and surface pressure. We use the patterned LB films for templates to confine metal in patterned regions, taking advantage of the difference between the surface free energy of the patterned regions and that of the self-assembled monolayer of the silane coupling agent. Au nanoparticles are confined onto the patterned films as a catalyst for the succeeding Cu electroless deposition. The atomic force microscopic images, Auger electron spectra, and scanning Auger electron maps of a Cu-deposited film show that Cu is selectively deposited on the patterns of phase separation of the original mixed LB films.     

Highly ordered polymer films of amphiphilic, regioregular polythiophene derivatives

The fabrication and characterization of highly ordered thin films made from amphiphilic, regioregular polythiophene derivatives are described. Films of poly(3-(11-(2-tetrahydropyranyloxy)undecyl)thiophene (PTHPUDT) were prepared by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. The amphiphilic nature of the polymer affords layer-by-layer deposition and the formation of multilayer films of head-to-head and tail-to-tail Y-type structure. X-ray diffraction studies indicate bilayer separations of approximately 30 A. Anisotropic optical absorption in the plane of the film indicates that the thiophene backbones are preferentially oriented along the dipping direction. Further, polarized light microscopy studies indicate that these films are highly birefringent and that the optical retardation is uniform over the entire film. Ellipsometry studies confirm the sizable magnitude of the birefringence. Optical second-harmonic generation studies of multilayer films provide information regarding both the thiophene orientation within the film and the anisotropic distribution of chromophores in the surface plane. Taken together, these data offer strong evidence of highly ordered films in which the hydrophobic polythiophene chains lie parallel to the substrate surface with their alkyl chains oriented normal to the surface, as dictated by the hydrophilic nature of the alkyl chain's terminal tetrahydropyran functional group. As such, these films offer the potential for elucidating the connection between polymer morphology and physical property in materials that are otherwise subject to a sufficiently complex distribution of morphologies that such a correspondence is precluded.     

Challenges in the structural characterization of thin organic films

This review addresses the special problems associated with the micro-structural characterization of thin and ultrathin organic films, primarily by optical spectroscopies. Films which are deposited by Langmuir-Blodgett techniques, self-assembly chemistry, and bulk film deposition techniques are considered. The use of enhanced optical excitation using surface phasma resonances and integrated optical structures is discussed extensively, as is the use of ellipsometry. Discussion of the spectroscopies used is broken into a section on electronic spectroscopies and an extensive discussion of vibrational spectroscopies. Vibrational information may be obtained with photons (absorption or scattering) or electrons (loss spectra), and the types of experimental systems amenable to each, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each are explored.     

Abrupt interfacial transitions of hydrophobic polysilanes as probed via liquid crystal-assisted stepwise deposition

The Langmuir-Blodgett deposition was applied for the first time for fully hydrophobic polysilanes, poly(di-n-hexylsilane) (PDHS) and poly(methyl-n-octylsilane) (PMOS). The monolayer formation of such hydrophobic polysilanes was achieved by cospreading with a liquid crystal molecule, 4'-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (5CB). The UV-visible absorption spectra showed that the backbone conformations of the polysilanes are completely different from that in the bulk. The layer-by-layer deposition allowed for the nanometer level evaluation of the thickness profile on the conformational changes. It is found that the conformational change of these hydrophobic polysilanes abruptly occurs at a monolayer level thickness boundary.     

New characterization of layer-by-layer self-assembly deposition of polyelectrolytes on cotton fabric

Layer-by-layer self-assembly deposition of polyelectrolytes on textile materials might provide a new approach to endue different functions to textiles. Two simple characterization methods for electrostatic self-assembly deposition of two typical polyelectrolytes, poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) on cotton fabrics were investigated in this paper. Dyeing of the PSS/PDDA assembled cotton fabrics with anionic Direct Red 80 and cationic Methylene Blue shows regular and observable “odd–even” oscillations in terms of color depth (K/S value), which could be utilized for the assessment of the variation of surface electric property of the cotton substrate due to the alternate fabrication of PSS and PDDA on it. A linear increase in UV absorbance at 226 and 261 nm of treated cotton fabrics further revealed that the growth of these layer-by-layer multilayers could be recorded by monitoring UV spectra of assembled cotton specimens. ATR FT-IR spectra did not show any identifiable differences between cotton substrates with and without deposition of PSS/PDDA multilayers.     

Characterization and 2D self-assembly of CdSe quantum dots at the air-water interface

Langmuir film properties, UV-vis spectroscopy, epifluorescence microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to study CdSe quantum dots (QDs) in 2D. By combining these results, it was possible to determine the molar absorptivity, limiting nanoparticle area, luminescence property, and arrangement of the QDs in the monolayer films at the air-water interface. Either trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) or 1-octadecanethiol (ODT) stabilized the QDs. The data collected reveal that TOPO forms close-packed monolayers on the surface of the QDs and that ODT-stabilized QDs undergo alkyl chains interdigitation. It was also found that varying the nanoparticle size, nature of surfactant, surface pressure, and mixed monolayers could help engineer the 2D self-assembly of the QDs at the air-water interface. Of practical importance is the transfer of these monolayer films onto hydrophilic or hydrophobic solid substrates, which could be successfully accomplished via the Langmuir-Blodgett film deposition technique.     

含乳糖聚电解质靶向微胶囊的层层自组装构筑

设计合成了己二酸乳糖乙烯酯/对苯乙烯磺酸钠共聚物（PLESS）,通过层层自组装技术构筑聚烯丙基胺盐酸盐（PAH）与含乳糖聚电解质PLESS的靶向微胶囊。以紫外-可见吸收光谱监测了PAH与PLESS在平面的石英片进行层层自组装过程,研究了不同实验条件（聚电解质浓度、溶液盐度、盐种类）对PAH/PLESS多层膜自组装的影响;PAH与PLESS在球形碳酸钙微球模板上层层自组装,去除模板后得到层状结构的微胶囊,用透射电镜（TEM）等方法观察其形态形貌;通过花生凝集素识别考察其潜在靶向性;通过细胞MTT活性试验评价其生物相容性。     

A concise and regioselective synthesis of 1-alkyl-4-imidazolecarboxylates

Reaction between ethyl 3-N,N-(dimethylamino)-2-isocyanoacrylate (1) and a primary amine (2) regioselectively affords 1-alkyl-4-imidazolecarboxylates (3) in good yields (52-89%). The method is applicable to unhindered and hindered amine substrates, as well as those containing reactive functionality such as alcohols and secondary and tertiary amines. [reaction: see text]     

Layer-by-layer self-assembly of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> sol on wool to improve its anti-ultraviolet and anti-ageing properties

A new method for improving the anti-ultraviolet and anti-ageing abilities of wool fabric was reported in this paper. TiO₂ sols and poly (sodium 4-styrene-sulfonate) (PSS) were coated on the wool fibers via layer-by-layer (LBL) electrostatic self-assembly deposition. The morphologies and compositions of TiO₂ sol-coated wool fabrics were characterized using SEM, surface Zeta potential, apparent color depth (K/S), ultraviolet (UV) transmission and alkali solubility. The SEM pictures showed that there were quite a few deposits absorbed on the wool surface. The dyeing depth and Zeta potential presented obvious “layer–layer alternate vibration” along with the change of deposited materials, revealing the surface structure of the assembled wool fiber. The results of ultraviolet (UV) transmission and alkali solubility indicated that the modified wool fabrics obtained good anti-ultraviolet and anti-ageing properties. In addition, the sol-assembled wool fabrics had good washing fastness. The studies proved that the LBL electrostatic self-assembly deposition is a promising way to endow the textiles with surface functionality.     

Interaction of the anionic surfactant SDS with a cellulose thin film and the role of electrolyte and poyelectrolyte. 2 Hydrophilic cellulose

The interaction of the anionic surfactant, sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), with the hydrophilic surface of a thin cellulose film and the role of electrolyte (0.1 M NaCl) and the polyelectrolyte, poly(dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride) [polydmdaac], have been studied by neutron reflectivity (NR). The thin cellulose films were prepared by Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) deposition of trimethylsilyl-cellulose (TMSC) on silicon, and the hydrophilic surface was produced by the cleaving of the terminal methyl groups of the TMSC by HCl vapor. Despite both the surfactant and cellulose surfaces being nominally anionic, SDS adsorption and swelling of the cellulose film occurred during adsorption. The results show that the nature of the adsorption and the extent of the penetration into the cellulose film can be controlled by the addition of electrolyte, NaCl, and cationic polyelectrolyte, polydmdaac.     

Covalent gluing and postgluing of Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers at hydrocarbon surfaces

Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) monolayers of 5,11,17,23,29,35-hexaformyl-37,38,39,40,41,42-hexakis(1-n-octyloxy)calix[6]arene (2), deposited onto silylated silicon wafers, were cross-linked (i.e., "covalently glued") via Schiff base formation with poly(allylamine). Direct evidence for imine formation was obtained from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and from attenuated total reflection IR spectroscopy. These modified surfaces could be removed from the aqueous subphase into air with retention of the assembly and its orientation relative to the surface, as evidenced by atomic force microscopy, water contact angle measurements, and film thickness determinations by ellipsometry. Similar assemblies were also synthesized via a postgluing procedure, in which the substrate containing the LB monolayer was removed from the subphase and rapidly immersed into an aqueous solution containing poly(allylamine). The potential of combining postgluing methods with continuous LB film deposition as a surface modification technique is briefly discussed.     

导电聚合物有序超薄膜的合成及其作为有机电致发光器件空穴注入层

采用修饰多层LB膜的方法制备了导电聚合物聚-3,4-乙烯二氧噻吩/二十烷酸(PEDOT:AA)复合层状有序膜, 构筑了一种导电聚合物镶嵌的多层有序膜结构. 将这种导电聚合物有序薄膜沉积于ITO电极表面, 将其作为有机电致发光二极管(OLED)的空穴注入层, 并研究了ITO/(PEDOT:AA)/MEH-PPV/Al器件的性能. 研究结果表明, 与采用聚3,4-乙烯二氧噻吩/聚苯乙烯磺酸(PEDOT:PSS)自组装膜和旋涂膜作为空穴注入层的ITO/(PEDOT:PSS)/MEH-PPV/Al器件相比, 器件的发光效率增加, 起亮电压降低. 我们认为这是由于PEDOT:AA薄膜提供了一种有序层状结构后, 减小了ITO与MEH-PPV间的接触势垒, 改善了空穴载流子注入效率. 进一步的研究表明, 由于PEDOT:AA多层膜间靠较弱的亲水、疏水作用结合, 这种导电多层有序膜的热稳定性与普通LB膜相似, 在较高温度下发生从层状有序态到无序态的变化, 这是导致OLED器件性能发生劣化的主要原因.     

自组装膜

自动形成有序有机薄膜可通过自组装(SA)技术得到.SA成膜技术快速简便, SA膜对热, 时间, 化学环境及外压稳定, 有较高的二维或三维有序性, 是获得超晶格有序材料的一种有效方法, 在非线性光学, 分子器件, 分子生物学及表面材料工程中都有潜在的应用前景.     

Hydrophobic monolayer preparation by Langmuir-Blodgett and chemical adsorption techniques

Alkylsiloxane and perfluoroalkylsiloxane monolayers are prepared on siliceous surfaces using the techniques of Langmuir-Blodgett deposition and solid-liquid chemical adsorption. Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis and polycondensation reactions provide two-dimensional siloxane networks at the liquid-vapor interface, which can be compressed to mean molecular areas of approximately 22 and approximately 32 A(2) for pendent hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon chains, respectively. Subsequent Langmuir-Blodgett transfer onto glass substrates at moderate surface pressures leads to compact monolayers for single-component precursors, while mixed alkyl- and perfluoroalkylsilanes produce nonhomogeneous films characterized by transfer ratios greater than unity. As an alternate monolayer preparation technique, silane polymerization was performed directly on siliceous surfaces via a chemical adsorption mechanism. XPS analysis of a chemically adsorbed 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecylsiloxane film confirms a single adsorbed monolayer thickness in which the pendent fluoroalkyl chains align nonperpendicularly with respect to the surface. The surface free energy was determined to be 11.4 dyn cm(-1) based on static contact angle measurements. AFM imaging shows the presence of surface defects due to oligomer deposition during the drying process. The use of solubilized trichloro-based silane coupling agents under anhydrous conditions is shown to produce surfaces with a minimal number of surface defects. The presence of undissolved silane material in the bulk solution significantly increases the number of surface defects.     

Interlayer Energy Transfer from Naphthalene to Anthracene Chromophores Organized in Langmuir—Blodgett Films

Interlayer energy transfer between 2,3-naphthol-10-hexadecylaza-15-crown-5(NC16) and N-[1-(9-methoxyanthryl)] decylaza-15-crown-5(A10C) within multilayer Langmuir-Blodgett films has been studied by steady-state fluorescence spectra. The donor and acceptor could be separated precisely by inserting stearic acid (SA) spacers. The efficiency of the energy transfer increases with the decrease in the donor-acceptor distance by a quadratic manner, suggesting the donor excitations are delocalized in the layer.     

Synthesis and characterization of monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett films of an amphiphilic oligo(ethylene glycol)-C60-hexadecaaniline conjugate

A novel amphiphilic oligo(ethylene glycol)-C60-hexadecaaniline (A16) tricomponent conjugate, C60>(A16-EG43), possessing a well-defined number of repeating aniline donor units and a hydrophilic ethylene glycol oligomer chain was synthesized. The compound is composed of a covalently bound donor-acceptor chromophore structure. Molecular self-assembly of C60>(A16-EG43) at the air-water interface formed a densely packed Langmuir monolayer with all highly hydrophobic fullerene cages located above the liquid interface. The monolayer can then be transferred onto a glass substrate via Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) deposition. LB multilayered thin films formed by multiple deposition of the monolayer yielded broadened optical absorption peaks extending beyond 600 nm into the 950 nm region, suggesting strong intermolecular interactions among the C60 cages and the A16 moieties. An X-ray reflectometry study clearly reveals that the Langmuir film at the air-water interface consists of a C60 top layer and a bottom layer containing hexcadecaaniline and oligo(ethylene glycol) with gradually decreasing electron density over a distance of approximately 130 A above bulk water. The pressure isotherm shows that the packing density of the C60>(A16-EG43) monolayer, corresponding to a molecular area of approximately 95 A2/molecule, is similar to that of the surface area of the C60 monolayer. This result suggests that C60 packing plays a dominant role in guiding the formation of the monolayer structure. Further photoexcitation of hexadecaaniline moieties of aligned (C60>)-A16 layers by a flash light source induces cross linking between adjacent A16 segments forming an interlinked A16 array. Our results have demonstrated a unique fabrication method for preparing the aligned donor-acceptor array using strong intermolecular interactions between fullerenes as the molecular orientation guiding force in the Langmuir-Blodgett technique.     

How electrolyte and polyelectrolyte affect the adsorption of the anionic surfactant SDS onto the surface of a cellulose thin film and the structure of the cellulose film. 1. Hydrophobic cellulose

The nature of hydrophobic thin cellulose films, formed by Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) deposition on silica, has been studied using neutron reflectivity (NR). The impact of electrolyte and a polyelectrolyte, poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) (polydmdaac), on the adsorption of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) onto the surface of the hydrophobic cellulose film and upon the structure of the cellulose film has been investigated. The results show how a combination of polyelectrolytes and electrolyte can be used to manipulate surfactant adsorption onto hydrophobic cellulose surfaces and modify the structure of the cellulose film by swelling and penetration. The results illustrate how polyelectrolytes can be used to reverse adsorption and swelling of cellulose films which are not reversible simply by dilution in solvent.     

Surface grafted sulfobetaine polymers via atom transfer radical polymerization as superlow fouling coatings

One of the sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) monomers, N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(methacryloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium betaine, was polymerized onto initiator-covered gold surfaces using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to form uniform polymer brushes. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with ATRP initiators were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The thickness of grafted poly(SBMA) films was measured by ellipsometry. Fibrinogen adsorption on poly(SBMA) grafted surfaces was measured with a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor. Two approaches were compared to graft ATRP initiators onto gold surfaces for surface polymerization and subsequent protein adsorption on these polymer grafted surfaces. The first was to prepare a SAM from omega-mercaptoundecyl bromoisobutyrate onto a gold surface. Superlow fouling surfaces with well-controlled poly(SBMA) brushes were achieved using this approach (e.g., fibrinogen adsorption <0.3 ng/cm2). The second approach was to react bromoisobutyryl bromide with a hydroxyl-terminated SAM on a gold surface. Although protein adsorption decreased as the density of surface initiators increased, the surface prepared using the second approach was not able to achieve as low protein adsorption as the first approach. Key parameters to achieve superlow fouling surfaces were studied and discussed.