Real-time microfluorescence studies of Langmuir-Blodgett deposition: Monolayer adsorption and desorption

Abstract Observations of the meniscus region in a typical Langmuir-Blodgett configuration are obtained using fluorescence microscopy. Studies of the meniscus position as a function of pH demonstrate that the meniscus height increases upon charging the monolayer owing to the repulsive interaction between monolayer and substrate surfaces. Through the correspondence between meniscus height and contact angle the adhesion forces between monolayer and substrate as a function of monolayer charge are assessed. The phenomenon of desorption upon resubmerging a deposited film is described and it is shown that the meniscus height at the onset of the desorption is greater for higher pH.