In situ determination of the structure and composition of Langmuir monolayers at the air/water interface by neutron and X-ray reflectivity and ellipsometry

This review focuses on the description of structure and composition a variety Langmuir monolayers (LMs) deposited at air/water interface by using ellipsometry, Brewster Angle microscopy scattering techniques, mainly neutron X-ray reflectometry. Since first experiment done Angels Pockels with homemade trough in her home kitchen until today, LMs different materials have been extensively studied providing not only relevant model systems biology, physics chemistry but also precursors novel via their deposition solid substrates. There is vast amount surface-active that can form and, therefore, far from revision state-of-the-art, we will emphasize here: (i) some fundamental aspects to understand behind molecular interface; (ii) advantages situ such as reflectometry or resolve interfacial architecture conformation films; finally, (iii) summary several certain interest experimental conceptual point view. Concretely, report here advances polymers confined interfaces surfactants, fatty acids phospholipids more unconventional ones graphene oxide.