Determination of Isotherm of Supramolecule Calix[4]arenes Monolayer using Langmuir-Blodgett Technique

Abstract

The principle of Langmuir-Blodgett technique lies in the formation of a closely packed monolayer of amphiphilic molecules on the surface of water. By monitoring the pressurearea isotherm, the phase changes of the monolayer from gaseous to solid phases can be determined. Once it reaches the solid phase, the monolayer can be transferred onto a substrate to construct mutilayer thin films by sequential deposition. The material used in this experiment is calix[4]arenes, a supramolecule, widely used as a sensor material and in biometric applications because of its nanoporous film structure. Calix[4]arenes isotherm was analyzed to get the radius of its cavity and was found that the diameter decreases with addition of spreading volume. UV-Vis result shown almost no difference in the absorbance spectra for calix[4]arenes either in thin film or in solution.