Use of the liquid–liquid interface for generating ultrathin nanocrystalline films of metals, chalcogenides, and oxides

The air–water interface has traditionally been employed to prepare particle assemblies and films of metals and semiconductors. The interface between water and an organic liquid, however, has not been investigated sufficiently for possible use in preparing nanocrystals and thin films of materials. In this article, we demonstrate the use of the liquid–liquid interface as a medium for preparing ultrathin films of metals, chalcogenides and oxides. The method involves the reaction at the interface between a metal-organic compound in the organic layer and an appropriate reagent for reduction, sulfidation, etc. in the aqueous layer. Some of the materials discussed are nanocrystalline films of gold, CuS, CuSe, CuO, and Cu(OH)2 formed at the liquid–liquid interface. The results reported in this article should demonstrate the versatility and potential of the liquid–liquid interface for preparing nanomaterials and ultrathin films and encourage further research in this area.