Langmuir−Blodgett Nanoarchitectonics,Out of the Box

KITCHEN CHEMISTRY TO FOREFRONT MOLECULAR SCIENCE The Langmuir−Blodgett(LB)method is an old technique with a more than 100-year history.Its principle is simply based on spreading of a thin film(mostly monolayer)of waterless soluble molecules on water,which is similar to daily life common events such as oil dropping on water.It is said that the initial research on the relation between surface tension(as parameter related with surface pressure)and monolayer compression was pioneered by a self-taught German women scientist Agnes Pockels using a handmade trough in her family kitchen.1 After systematic research efforts on monolayers at the air−water interface by Irving Langmuir,2 formation of multilayer films through simple transfer of monolaters from a water surface to a solid surface was demonstrated with the aid of Katherine Blodgett to initiate the Langmuir−Blodgett(LB)technique.3 Although sophisticated film balances have been developed and a huge variety of components has been subjected to the LB method,the fundamental principles with simple procedures remain unchanged over 100 years.