Formation of iron containing aggregates at the liquid–air interface

•We have investigated in situ the formation of inorganic thin films.•The experiments were performed in situ.•We have studied the influence of different Langmuir layers in the growth process.•Only the growth of amorphous layers could be observed.•Electrostatic forces are not the only influencing factor.

The early stages of the formation of inorganic aggregates, composed of iron compounds at the solution–air interface, were investigated in situ. The properties of the solution–air interface were changed by using different Langmuir layers. In order to get insight into the evolution of the sample system in situ, the processes were studied by X-ray scattering and spectroscopy techniques. The formation of aggregates was detected under cationic as well as under anionic Langmuir layers. The observed compounds lack long range order which indicates the formation of amorphous structures. This is supported by extended X-ray absorption fine structure measurements showing only minor order in the formed aggregates.

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