Ultrathin Y2O3-doped CeO2 (YDC) ceramic films have been prepared using Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films as precursors. β-diketonate complexes Ce(tmhd)4 and Y(tmhd)3 were chosen as the ‘surface ions’ which can combine with arachidic acid (AA) to form uniform mixed monolayer on pure water. Y-type LB films were fabricated by depositing the mixed monolayer with mixed ratio of Y(tmhd)3/Ce(tmhd)4/AA=1:7:16. The smooth and homogeneous YDC films were obtained through a combination of room temperature ultra-violet/ozone decomposition and annealing treatments. The X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and a.c. impedance spectra measurements demonstrate that the final films are single YDC phase with a fluorite cubic structure indeed and the components of the films can be accurately controlled through the whole process.

A fabrication technique of component-controllable multi-component ultrathin ceramic films has been developed by a promising LB method. The precursor of Y2O3-doped CeO2 (YDC) ultrathin film was prepared with cerium IV 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-heptanedionate (Ce(tmhd)4) and yttrium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptanedionate (Y(tmRd)3) as "surface ions" on subphase surface instead of traditional "subphase ions". The YDC film was successfully fabricated after ultraviolet/ozone treatment and annealing in oxygen ambience with the precursor. XPS results proved that the surface of the fired film contained mainly Ce, O and Y and that the elemental ratio of Y/Ce was well controlled.

The mixed monolayers of Ru(dpphen)3 2+ (dpphen = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)[abbreviated as Ru( II )] and arachidic acid (AA) in different molar proportions on pure water interfacehad been studied. The miscibility, molecular interaction of the two components and structure of condensed mixed momolayers were investigated in details. The monolayers were successfully transferred onto solid substrate and form functional mixed LB films. Characterized by optical spectra and low angle X-ray diffraction, the mixed LB films, which have strong absorption and emission in visible region, are regular, homogenous and have a good multilayer structure.

The miscibility and phase behavior of mixed monolayers of Ru(dpphen)(3)(2+) (dpphen = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) (abbreviated as Ru(II)) and arachidic acid (AA) with different molar proportions on pure water have been investigated. Ru(II) is water insoluble and acts as a surface counterion. The miscibility of two components was confirmed by collapse pressure of the monolayer and excess free energy of mixing. It was found that Ru(II):AA = 1:2 is the best mixture ratio for the stable and condensed mixed monolayer on the pure water subphase, and any surplus Ru(II) or AA is not favorable for the mixed monolayer. The mixed Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films with the optimum ratio of Ru(II):AA = 1:2 were deposited and characterized by UV-visible, photoinduced emission spectra, and low-angle X-ray diffraction. Both absorption and fluorescence spectra have shown that the LB films have considerable optical properties in the visible region. The possible structures of the monolayer and LB film are proposed based on the X-ray diffraction data.

The miscibility and phase behavior of mixed monolayers of Ru(dpphen)32+ (dpphen = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) (abbreviated as Ru(II)) and arachidic acid (AA) with different molar proportions ...