Fabrication of Langmuir-Blodgett films with a novel amphiphilic ferrate (III) coordination compound

A newly synthesized amphiphilic coordination compound, pentacyano(4-octadecylaminopyridine)ferrate(III) (POF), is shown to produce a stable Langmuir monolayer on pure water when the counter cation is chosen so as to enhance the hydrophobic character of this metal complex. Langmuir-Blodgett films were fabricated by means of the horizontal lifting method. Deposition up to 60 layers was confirmed by the linear increase in the charge transfer absorption of the films. The interlayer spacing measured by X-ray diffraction indicated a Y-type structure due to molecular overturn during the deposition process. Alternate deposition of POF and an amorphous polymer also gave centrosymmetric structure.