Langmuir monolayers as unique physical models

• The recent use of Langmuir monolayers as a physical model is reviewed.
• The current fields of research using the Langmuir technique are highlighted.
• It provides a model system with large potential for understanding molecular interactions at interfaces.
• The traditional limitation of the usage of the Langmuir technique to organic surfactants has been widely overcome.

Physico-chemical processes at air/liquid interfaces are of paramount importance in nature. The Langmuir technique offers the possibility of forming a well-defined monolayer of amphiphilic molecules under study at the air/liquid interface, with a unique control of the area per molecule and other experimental conditions. Despite being a traditional technique in Colloid and Interface science, there is an ever growing interest in Langmuir studies. Herein, recent developing fields of research currently taking advantage of the Langmuir technique are reviewed, comprising the interfacial structure of: water, biomolecules and inorganic/organic hybrids. The good state of the Langmuir technique at present and the foreseeable increase of its usage are discussed.

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