Occurrence of single-electron phenomenon in CdS nanoclusters in Langmuir–Blodgett films of n-octadecyl succinic acid

Cadmium complex of n-octadecyl succinic acid (ODSA) in Langmuir films at air/water interface has been studied using surface pressure–molecular area (pi- A) and surface potential–molecular area (delta V – A) isotherms. The metal complex formed, transferred as LB film onto solid substrates, was analysed using FT-IR and was subjected to sulphidation reaction. Antisymmetric and symmetric carboxylate stretching vibrations have been used to determine the nature of the ODSA/cation complexes. CdS formed after sulphidation of the cadmium complex (ODSACd) showed possible single-electron phenomenon indicating the nanosized nature of clusters formed. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) measurements carried out confirmed the size of these CdS clusters.