Langmuir pyroelectricity

These complexes also formed stable Langmuir films, which could be transferred onto a range of various substrates to yield Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films.A pyroelectric effect was observed in alternate layers incorporating an iridium complex, and the electronic hyperpolarizability of some chiral derivatives was measured. ... 

MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES IN PYROELECTRIC LANGMUIR-BLODGETT FILMS... 

The importance of the pyroelectric effect is considered, with particular reference to the application of thermal imaging. A range of pyroelectric materials is reviewed, and the suitability of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films to diis application is highlighted. 

Langmuir-Blodgett films are deposited onto glass microscope slides, onto which an aluminium back electrode has been evaporated. The pyroelectric LB films studied consist of alternate layers of two materials,which produce a superlattice with a net polarisation. Buffer layers of the fatty acid, behenic acid, are included,both before and after deposition of the active layers. This ensures that the active layers are free from any interactions with the aluminium back and top electrodes. The capping layers also provide protection during top electrode evaporation. 

Richardson, T., Majid, W. H. A., Capan, R., Lacey, D., and Holder, S., Molecular engineering of pyroelectric polysiloxane Langmuir-Blodgett superlattices synthesis, film preparation and pyroelectric properties, Supramol. Set, 1, 39, 1994 Richardson, T., Greenwood, M. B., Davis,... 

F., and Stirling, C. J. M., Pyroelectric molecular baskets temperature-dependent polarization from substituted calix(8)arene Langmuir-Blodgett films, Langmuir, 11, 4623, 1995. 

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