An undergraduate project on the assembly of Langmuir-Blodgett films of colloidal particles

We present a simple undergraduate level experiment dealing with the preparation and characterization of a colloidal Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film. The experiment is designed to invoke an interdisciplinary understanding of colloid chemistry and surface science. It will allow the students to develop the concepts of wettability, hydrophobicity, and surface structuring with colloidal nano- and microparticles. In this experiment, the student prepares an LB film of submicron colloidal particles on a well-cleaned glass slide. The contact angle, surface morphology, and packing efficiency of the LB film are later characterized by a goniometer and an optical microscope. The students learn a very useful method of making colloidal LB films and further understanding their surface properties. It will help to broaden their knowledge in chemistry and materials science.