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Aggregation and Layering Transitions in Thin Films of X‐, T‐, and Anchor‐Shaped Bolaamphiphiles at the Air–Water Interface
Author(s) -
Nitoń Patrycja,
Żywociński Andrzej,
Paczesny Jan,
Fiałkowski Marcin,
Hołyst Robert,
Glettner Benjamin,
Kieffer Robert,
Tschierske Carsten,
Pociecha Damian,
Górecka Ewa
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201003671
Subject(s) - monolayer , layering , molecule , chemical physics , langmuir , crystallography , chemistry , materials science , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , aqueous solution , biology , botany
Aggregation in Langmuir films is usually understood as being a disorderly grouping of molecules turning into chaotic three‐dimensional aggregates and is considered an unwanted phenomenon causing irreversible changes. In this work we present the studies of 11 compounds from the group of specific surfactants, known as bolaamphiphiles, that exhibit reversible aggregation and, in many cases, transition to well‐defined multilayers, which can be considered as a layering transition. These bolaamphiphiles incorporate rigid π‐conjugated aromatics as hydrophobic cores, glycerol‐based polar groups and hydrophobic lateral chains. Molecules of different shapes (X‐, T‐, and anchor) were studied and compared. The key property of these compounds is the partial fluorination of the lateral chains linked to the rigid cores of the molecules. The most interesting feature of the compounds is that, depending on their shape and degree of fluorination, they are able to resist aggregation and preserve a monolayer structure up to relatively high surface pressures (T‐shaped and some X‐shaped molecules), or create well‐defined trilayers (X‐ and anchor‐shaped molecules). Experimental studies were performed using Langmuir balance, surface potential and X‐ray reflectivity measurements.