Polyelectrolyte-templated langmuir/langmuir-blodgett films

Abstract

The significant mutualistic impacts of molecular chemistry and nanoscience are the development of capabilities for the observation of single molecules, deployment of molecules as devices, and the growing prominence of molecular-level control of chemical processes and assembly. Single molecules can be observed by their spectroscopic signatures or even directly by microscopy. 1, 2 There is a burgeoning interest in developing molecular-scale electronic, photonic, and spintronic devices. 3-6 Reactions have been carried out on selected individual molecules, 7 and the reaction-induced changes in the covalent structure of single molecules during the course of a reaction can be monitored. 8, 9 Molecular assemblies can be constructed with a high degree of control on the congregation of the building blocks. Self-assembly approaches for the generation of supramolecular structures are quite popular. 10, 11 Even covalently bound architectures have been fabricated through tailored assembly of molecular legos. 12 The subtle, yet crucial influence that the environment exerts on the attributes and functions of molecules highlights the significant role of assembly in developing novel molecular materials and devices.