COMPLEX-FORMATION BETWEEN AMPHIPHILIC ORGANIC-LIGANDS AND TRANSITION-METAL IONS IN MONOLAYERS AND LB MULTILAYERS

The amphiphilic organic ligand (5-octadecyloxy-2-(2-pyridylazo)phenol, PARC18) formed various colored metal complexes with transition metal ions such as Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), VO(II), Ag(I), Cd (II), Hg(II) in monolayers, which were confirmed by the pi-A isotherms and in situ absorption spectra of the monolayers. Well-defined LB fil ms of the metal complexes can be fabricated by immersing the LB film o f PARC18 ligand into aqueous solutions containing metal ions as verifi ed from absorption spectra. Photoillumination can accelerate the metal complex formation process. The LB films fabricated by such methods ar e oriented with their functional groups inclined to the surface of the films as verified by the polarized absorption spectra measurement. Co lored patterns can be written on the LB films by utilizing the photo-a ccelerated complex formations of the PARC18 LB film and metal ions. Di fferent colors can be realized using a common PARC18 ligand by changin g metal ions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.