abstract
The hedgehog-shaped {Mo-368} cluster shows unique electronic (extremely high extinction coefficient) and structural features, especially regarding its size, the high number of delocalized electrons which allows to measure the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum and the option for coordination chemistry inside the cavity. Its relative instability in aqueous solution can be overcome by embedment in a hydrophobic shell of dimethyldioctadecylammonium cations. The resulting hybrid self-assembles into spherical vesicles in acetone-water mixtures, according to a process directed by hydrophobic-hydrophilic interactions. It also forms rather stable Langmuir monolayers while a second layer evolves under higher surface pressure, in accordance with a rather low alkyl surface density.
keywords
LANGMUIR-BLODGETT-FILMS; THERMOTROPIC LIQUID-CRYSTAL; RESONANCE RAMAN-SCATTERING; SEMIAMPHIPHILIC METHOD; CATIONIC SURFACTANT; AIR/WATER INTERFACE; MOLYBDENUM BLUES; BUILDING-BLOCKS; COMPLEXES; NANOSCALE
subject category
Chemistry; Materials Science; Physics; Polymer Science
authors
Garai, S; Merca, A; Bhowmik, S; El Moll, H; Li, H; Haso, F; Nogueira, H; Liu, TB; Wu, LX; Gouzerh, P; Muller, A
our authors
Helena Isabel Seguro Nogueira
Assistant Professor with Aggregationacknowledgements
A.M. acknowledges the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft for continuous financial support and the European Research Council (Brussels) for an Advanced Grant. P.G. acknowledges support from the Universite Pierre et Marie Curie and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. T.L. acknowledges support from the National Science Foundation (CHE1305756).