Structural analysis of a metallosupramolecular polyelectrolyte-amphiphile complex at the air/water interface

A detailed analysis of a metallosupramolecular coordination polyelectrolyte - amphiphile complex (PAC) at the air:water interface is presented based a n Langmuir isotherm measurements, Brewster angle microscopy as well as X-ra y reflectance and diffraction measurements. The PAC is prepared in solution hv metal-ion coordination of Fe(OAc)(2) and 1,4-bis(2,2':6',2 " -terpyridi n-4'-yl)benzene followed hi; self-assembly with dihexadecyl phosphate (DHP) . The spreading of the PAC at the air/water interface results in a Langmuir film with a stratified architecture, such that DHP forms a monolayer on th e water surface, while the metallosupramolecular coordination polyelectroly te (MEPE) is immersed in the aqueous subphase. Electrostatic interactions o f MEPE and DHP force the alkyl chains into an upright, hexagonal lattice ev en at low surface pressures. This work illustrates how supramolecular. coll oidal, and surface chemistry can be combined to create complex architecture s with tailored characteristics that may nor be accessible through self-org anization in the liquid phase.