Vapour-growth of Sn on stearic acid molecular layers

Tin metal was vacuum deposited at room temperature on to Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films with surfaces of either hydrophilic head groups or hydrophobic t ail groups. Different growth modes on different surfaces of the LB films we re observed with an atomic force microscope. Fine Sn particles deposited on the hydrophobic surface were uniform in size and similar in shape, but on the hydrophilic surface large Sn particles were observed. Chemical interact ions between organic functional groups and deposited metal seems critical f or the manner of crystal growth. The possibility of control over the crysta llization of metals using two-dimensionally assembled organic molecules is demonstrated. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.