An applied science perspective of Langmuir-Blodgett films

Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films are prepared by transferring floating organic monolayers onto solid substrates. A combination of innovative chemistry and a carefully engineered instrument (a Langmuir trough) can result in high quality monomolecular assemblies displaying a high degree of structural order. The technique was first reported about fifty years ago and since then, LB films have been widely used as model systems in fundamental research. However, it is only during the past decade that the extensive applied potential has been recognised. Their precise thickness, coupled with the degree of control over the molecular architecture, has now firmly established a role for these layers in thin film technology. Following a historical introduction, this review describes the preparation and characterization of LB films and summarizes their importance in basic science. Particular emphasis is then placed on their potential applications, especially in fields related to electronics. The article concludes with a summary of the possible future role of ordered monomolecular films in the general field of molecular electronics.