Self-assembly of monolayers of submicron sized particles on thin liquid films

In this paper, we present a technique for freezing monolayers of micron and sub-micron sized particles onto the surface of a flexible thin film after the self-assembly of a particle monolayer on fluid-liquid interfaces has been improved by the process we have developed where an electric field is applied in the direction normal to the interface. Particles smaller than about 10 microns do not self-assemble under the action of lateral capillary forces alone since capillary forces amongst them are small compared to Brownian forces. We have overcome this problem by applying an electric field in the direction normal to the interface which gives rise to dipoledipole and capillary forces which cause the particles to arrange in a triangular pattern. The technique involves assembling the monolayer on the interface between a UV-curable resin and another liquid by applying an electric field, and then curing the resin by applying UV light. The monolayer becomes embedded on the surface of the solidified resin film.