Two applications of metal cyanide square grid monolayers: studies of evolving magnetic properties in layered films and templating Prussian blue family thin films

Two applications of previously described square grid network monolayers prepared at the air/water interface are explored. The monolayer networks are single layers of Prussian blue like mixed-metal cyanide networks that are formed via the interface-directed condensation of amphiphilic pentacyanometallate complex and subphase metal ions. In the first application, the monolayers are deposited onto solid supports and the magnetic properties of the networks are evaluated, as the transferred films evolve from a monolayer to a bilayer to multilayers. In the second application, the network monolayers are used to derivatize a surface, providing a seed layer for the subsequent deposition of solid-state metal cyanide molecule-based magnets. Improved surface wetting results in continuous, transparent magnetic films. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.