The Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique is one of the most promising techniques for preparing thin films of a thickness of a few nanometers (a monolayer) on a solid substrate. It enables precise control of the monolayer thickness, homogeneous deposition of the monolayer over large areas and allows to make multilayer structures with varying layer composition.
Our equipment:
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KSV Minitrough |
The KSV Minitrough (KSV Instruments) is a computer controlled user programmable Langmuir-Blodgett instrument for automated Langmuir film experiments and for unsupervised deposition of mono- and multilayers onto solid substrates.
The trough has dimensions 320x75x10 mm3 and is equipped with dipping well for vertical deposition. The film pressure measuring principle is based on the Wilhelmy method, using platinum sensor element connected to micro-electronic feedback system for surface pressure control. The maximal size of the substrate is 100x100x10 mm3 (100% immersion).
How does it work?
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1. Spreading of an amphiphile solution at the air/water interface – all molecules orient with their hydrophilic heads towards the water and hydrophobic tails towards the air |
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2. Compressing of the monolayer after solvent evaporation to a desired surface pressure (change of the surface tension caused by the presence of the monolayer) |
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3. The monolayer undergoes different phase transitions |
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4. Transfer of the Langmuir monolayer at a solid substrate by vertical dipping – Langmuir-Blodgett film |
For questions or remarks please contact Sofiya Raleva.