Preparation and electrical properties of cobalt-platinum nanoparticle monolayers deposited by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique

The Langmuir-Blodgett technique was utilized and optimized to produce closed monolayers of cobalt-platinum nanoparticles over vast areas. It is shown that sample preparation, "dipping angle", and subphase type have a strong impact on the quality of the produced films. The amount of ligands on the nanoparticle's surface must be minimized, the dipping angle must be around 105 degrees, while the glycol subphase is necessary to obtain nanoparticle monolayers. The achieved films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and grazing incidence X-ray scattering (GISAXS). The electrical properties of the deposited films were studied by direct current (DC) measurements, showing a discrepancy to the variable range hopping transport from the granular metal model and favoring the simple thermal activated charge transport. SEM, GISAXS, as well as DC measurements confirm a narrow size distribution and high ordering of the deposited films.