Crystalline mono- and multilayer self-assemblies of oligothiophenes at the air-water interface

S. Isz, I. Weissbuch, K. Kjær, W.G. Bouwman, J. Als-Nielsen, S. Palacin, A. Ruaudel-Teixier, L. Leiserowitz, M. Lahav

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearch

    Abstract

    The formation of Langmuir monolayers at the air-water interface has long been believed to be limited to amphiphilic molecules containing a hydrophobic chain and a hydrophilic headgroup. Here we report the formation of crystalline mono- and multilayer self-assemblies of oligothiophenes, a class of aromatic nonamphiphilic molecules, self-aggregated at the air-water interface. As model systems we have examined the deposition of quaterthiophene (S-4), quinquethiophene (S-5). and sexithiophene (S-6) from chloroform solutions on the water surface. The structures of the films were determined by surface pressure-area isotherms, by scanning force microscopy (SFM) after transfer of the films onto atomically smooth mica, by cryo-transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM) on vitreous ice, and by grazing incidence synchrotron X-ray diffraction (GID) directly on the water surface. S-4 forms two polymorphic crystalline multilayers. in polymorph alpha, of structure very similar to that of the three-dimensional solid, the molecules are aligned with their long molecular axis tilted by about 23 degrees from the normal to the water surface. In polymorph beta the long molecular axis is perpendicular to the water surface. S-5 self-ageregates at the water surface to form mixtures of monolayers and bilayers of the beta polymorph; S-6 forms primarily crystalline monolayers of both alpha and beta forms. The crystalline assemblies preserve their integrity during transfer from the water surface onto solid supports, The relevance of the present results for the understanding of the early stages of crystal nucleation is presented.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalChemistry - A European Journal
    Volume3
    Issue number6
    Pages (from-to)930-939
    ISSN0947-6539
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1997

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Crystalline mono- and multilayer self-assemblies of oligothiophenes at the air-water interface'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this