Formation of complex films with water-soluble CTAB molecules

This communication reports the formation of complex Langmuir monolayer at the air–water interface with the water-soluble N-cetyl N,N,N-trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) molecules when interacted with the stearic acid (SA) molecules. The reaction kinetics of the formation of the CTAB–SA complex was monitored by observing the surface pressure versus time graph. Multilayered LB films of this complex doped with Congo red was successfully formed onto a quartz substrate. UV–Vis absorption and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopic characteristics of this doped LB films confirms the successful incorporation of Congo red molecules in to the CTAB–SA complex films.