Langmuir-Blodgett technique for anisotropic colloids: Young investigator perspective.

Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique, which involves the formation of interfacial layers and the subsequent transfer onto a solid substrate, provides one of the most versatile means to characterize the adsorption, self-assembly, and rheological properties of interfacial colloids. In this review, we summarized the relevant studies on anisotropic colloids, which exhibit a richer self-assembly potential than their spherical counterparts. Hard particles with different shape and aspect ratio induce interfacial distortions when trapped at a liquid interface; the ensuing capillary interactions can drive the formation of complex two-dimensional (2D) structures with interesting properties.

Enhanced performance of printed organic diodes using a thin interfacial barrier layer.

Printed, organic diodes with a thin organic interfacial layer forming a Schottky barrier were fabricated and characterized. Experiments indicated that the thickness of the barrier layer is <10 nm. The interfacial layer reduces the reverse current of the diode by 2 orders of magnitude without significantly affecting the forward characteristics above 1 V.