Abstract:

Monolayer of polymer latex spheres was prepared at the air/water interface and deposited onto glass slides through Langmuir;Blodgett (LB) technique. Large-scale, high quality hexagonally close-packed domains were found in scanning elec-tron microscopic pictures. Details of the monolayer-forming ability were discussed. Suitable surface characteristics of the col-loidal particles, especially the hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, are the keys for the formation of ordered monolayer films. The film can be transferred onto various kinds of substrates, even high curvature surface articles, such as fibers, decorations etc, can also be used as substrates. The advantages of this fabrication method of polymer latex spheres monolayer are fast, flexible, simple and very neat.

Key words: nanosphere, monolayer, Langmuir−, Blodgett technique, structural colour