Langmuir-Blodgett films technique

Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of proteins (Tiede 1985, Hwang et al. 1977, Furuno et al. 1988, Lvov et al. 1991) and lipid-protein complexes (Fromherz 1971, Phillips et al. 1975, Mecke et al. 1987, Kozarac et al. 1988) were intensively studied and characterized by different techniques. 

Therefore, investigators have shown considerable interest in the adoption of the Langmuir-Blodgett technique, or its modifications, to make molecular electronic devices using, in particular, as an active component, a light-transducing protein, such as BR. In fact, the ability of BR to form thin films with excellent optical properties and the intrinsic properties themselves make it an outstanding candidate for use in optically coupled devices. 

Modified electrodes containing cyclam derivatives have been prepared. The approach utilizing cyclam incorporated in Nafion film on a carbon electrode shows that the catalytic efficiency of the system is much lower than observed when the catalyst is adsorbed on the mercury. With electrodes prepared following the Langmuir Blodgett technique, only the electrode materials that allow the orientation of the monolayer so that the tail points to the substrate were found to be electrocatalytically active.165... 

Design of non-linear optical films by Langmuir-Blodgett technique... 

Here, we demonstrate that oriented PAV films with well-developed -conjugated system can be fabricated through the regulation of orientation of precursor polymer chains by use of the Langmuir-Blodgett technique, and that large and anisotropic third-order optical nonlinearity was observed in the oriented PAV films. 

In both cases the top layer of these layered polyelectrolyte films contains many ion sites that can bind redox ions by ion exchange vdth the electrolyte solution. Homo polypeptides such as poly(L-lysine) and poly(L-glutamic add) have been employed to form layered polyelectrolyte films with Fe(CN)6 " electrostatically adsorbed onto ammonium sites in poly(lysine) [45]. Modified electrodes with polyelectrolytes mono-layers have also been deposited using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique [46-48]. 

Beginning with a discussion of the necessary basic physics and chemistry, the book proceeds to a description of the main topics of current research in this field. The Langmuir-Blodgett technique, self-assembly, and methods of film deposition exploiting the ordered structure of mesophases are discussed. Separate chapters are devoted to the properties and computer modelling of both liquid crystals and films at the air/water interface. Order in biomemebranes is also discussed. 

Monolayer Films of Phthalocyanine Derivatives. A series of organic derivatives of phthalocyanines were prepared that have two important characteristics of materials to be deposited by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique (1) they are soluble in volatile organic solvents, and (2) they form monomolecular films on the surface of water. Further study of deposited films of these phthalocyanine derivatives will be necessary in order to determine the exact orientations on the surface, but regardless of their orientations, they offer interesting possibilities for construction of thin films of ordered arrays of molecules on the surface of gas sensors. 

The formation of chiral 2-D crystalline domains of non-chiral Cd-arachidate on water has been demonstrated by GIXD and X-ray reflectivity studies [ 105,106] and by AFM for Ca-arachidate after transfer of the film onto solid support using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique [107]. 

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