Polyaniline (PANi)–titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposite materials were prepared by chemical polymerization of aniline doped with TiO2 nanoparticles. Surface pressure–area (π‐A) isotherms of these nanocomposites show phase transformations in the monolayer during compression process. Multiple isotherms indicate that the monolayer of the nanocomposite material can retain its configuration during compression‐expansion cycles. Langmuir–Blodgett thin films of PANi–TiO2 nanocomposite were deposited on the quartz and indium tin oxide coated conducting glass substrates. Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy and UV–visible spectroscopy study indicates the presence of TiO2 in PANi, whereas X‐ray Diffraction study confirmed the anatase phase of TiO2 and particle size (∼nm) of PANi–TiO2. The morphology of Langmuir–Blodgett films of these nanocomposites was also characterized by atomic force microscopy. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41386.

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Control of molecular orientation at the substrate surface is significant to understand the surface science. Langmuir films of bent-core liquid crystals having alkyl chains at both ends were deposited on silicon substrate. Studies were carried out on air-water interface by changing pH of the subphase. On compression, molecules were arranged in stacks at high pH where as uniform monolayer was formed at lower pH. Limiting area increased at low pH, which resulted in the formation of monolayer after attaining a sustainable surface pressure. Langmuir films were transferred to silicon substrate, and atomic force microscopy images showed appropriate height profiles.

Polyaniline (PANi)-zinc oxide (ZnO) nano-composites were prepared by chemical polymerization of aniline doped with ZnO nanoparticles. Surface pressure-area (p-A) isotherms for the PANi-ZnO nano-composite revealed phase transformations of the monolayer during compression. LangmuirBlodgett (LB) films of PANi and PANi-ZnO nano-composite were characterized by use of UV-visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM). Local current-voltage (I-V) characteristics revealed the current range for PANi-ZnO nano-composite LB films was larger than that for PANi LB films. Conductive data images were recorded to investigate charge-transport current inhomogeneities in the LB films.

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