Organized films

Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films, prepared by transferring an amphiphilic molecular monolayer (Langmuir monolayer) from a water surface onto a solid substrate, represent both archetypal and prototypical “organized films” (OFs). Known since about 80 years, LB films can be considered from many points of view as one of the prominent predecessors of what we call nanoscience today [1]. Their impact on interface science over the last four decades was undoubtedly based on pioneering works such as the beautiful studies of Kuhn and Möbius on energy transfer between molecules arranged with angstrom precision [2], or the stimulating works of Roberts and Petty [3], which envisaged many applications. This was most notable in the fields of molecular electronics and biosensors, which were emerging in those times and are now undergoing flourishing development.