Monolayer and multilayer assemblies of spherically and cubic-shaped iron oxide nanoparticles

Nowadays, nanoparticles are considered as the building blocks of the future nanotechnological devices and the development of strategies for processing nanoparticles into thin films has become a strategic challenge. In this context, the assembling of spherically shaped iron oxide nanoparticles displaying various sizes and of cubic-shaped nanoparticles has been investigated using the Langmuir–Blodgett technique. Homogeneous and dense monolayer and multilayer films have been obtained on large areas. The organisation in films has been studied by combining GISAXS and image analysis of SEM micrographs. The quality of the film has been determined to be mainly dependent on the chemical nature of the substrate and the amount of surfactant molecules at the surface of the nanoparticles (i.e. the organic coating).