Organized Organic Ultrathin Films: Fundamentals and Applications

Organic ultrathin films are ubiquitous in the biological world and are familiar to us in our daily lives (e.g. soap bubbles). Such films are usually
prepared by dry processes, for example, vapor deposition. However, thin films composed of complicated organic molecules and biomaterials
cannot easily be fabricated using such techniques. Wet processes on the other hand have proved both suitable and versatile in this respect,
and thus films with higher functionality for advanced technologies are now becoming widely accessible.

This book covers the fundamentals and practical techniques of organized organic ultrathin films prepared by wet processes. Most of the film structures selected for inclusion in the book are important in biotechnology. The categories of films covered include monomolecular films (monolayers) both on a water surface and on a solid plate, Langmuir–Blodgett films (transferred multilayer films on a solid plate from a water surface), layer–by–layer films (adsorbed multilayer films on a solid support), and spontaneously assembled films in solution.

The book is the first comprehensive monograph on organized organic ultrathin films that spans both basic knowledge and recent developments in the research field. It serves as a handy reference book for researchers at the forefront of R&D in both traditional surface science and applied nanotechnology.

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

SELF–ASSEMBLED MONOLAYER (SAM)
Introduction
Preparation and Characterization
Functions and Applications
Future Perspective

LANGMUIR?BLODGETT (LB) FILM
Concept and Mechanism
Preparation and Characterization
Functions and Applications

LAYER–BY–LAYER (LBL) ASSEMBLY
Concept and Mechanism
Preparation and Characterization
Functions and Applications
Brief Summary and Perspectives

OTHER THIN FILMS
Bilayer Vesicle and Cast Film
Self–Assembled Fibers, Tubes, and Ribbons
Polymer Brush Layer
Organic –
Inorganic Hybrids
Colloidal Layers
Newly Appearing Techniques

INDEX


Dr. Katsuhiko Ariga is the Director of Supermolecules Unit and Principal Investigator of World Premier International (WPI) Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS). He received his B.Eng., M.Eng., and Ph.D. degrees from the Tokyo Institute of Technology (TIT). He was Assistant Professor at TIT, worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas at Austin, USA, and then served as a group leader in the Supermolecules Project at Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). Thereafter, Dr. Ariga worked as Associate Professor at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology, and then became involved with the ERATO Nanospace
Project at JST. In January 2004, Dr. Ariga moved to NIMS. He was also appointed Professor at several Universities. His research field is based on supermolecular chemistry and surface science, including the boundary research areas of organic chemistry, physical chemistry,
biochemistry, and materials chemistry. His major interests are the fabrication of novel functional nanostructures based on molecular recognition and self–assembly, including Langmuir–Blodgett films, layer–by–layer films, and mesoporous materials.