UV/Vis and SFM studies on Langmuir monolayers and Langmuir–Blodgett films of 16-mer aniline and o-pentadecylaniline blends

The synthesis of a new amphiphilic blend of aniline, between a 16-mer oligoaniline and o-pentadecylaniline (oPA), in molecular films is reported and its morphology and UV/Vis absorption properties are characterized. The blend forms stable Langmuir monolayers at the air/water interface and successful deposition into Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films was achieved by vertical dipping. By preparing Langmuir monolayers on acidic subphases containing peroxodisulfate, it was straightforward to polymerize the oligomer-monomer mixture. Deposited LB samples exhibited molecularly smooth surfaces, as determined by scanning force microscopy (SFM). The electrooptical properties of mono- and multilayers of 16-mer aniline/oPA mixtures and the polymerized blend were analyzed by UV/Vis spectroscopy.