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Atomic Number Dependent "Structural Transitions" in Ordered Lanthanide Monolayers: Role of the Hydration Shell
Mitchell Miller1, Miaoqi Chu1, Binhua Lin2
1Department of Physics & Astronomy, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|January 21, 2017
Summary
Lanthanide ions in Langmuir films form unique 2D structures dependent on atomic number. This transition is linked to changes in the number of water molecules hydrating each ion.
Area of Science:
- Surface Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Lanthanide Chemistry
Background:
- Lanthanide ions interact with floating monolayers (Langmuir films) at aqueous interfaces.
- These interactions can lead to the formation of two-dimensional (2D) ordered structures (lattices).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of lanthanide atomic number (Z) on the structure of 2D lattices formed at the air-water interface.
- To understand the underlying reasons for observed Z-dependent transitions in lattice formation.
Main Methods:
- Formation of Langmuir films at the air-water interface.
- Controlled introduction of various lanthanide ions into the aqueous subphase.
- Characterization of the resulting 2D structures formed at the interface.
Main Results:
- Lanthanide ions form commensurate and/or incommensurate 2D lattices within the Langmuir film.
- A distinct change in lattice structure occurs between lighter and heavier lanthanide ions for a given monolayer.
- This Z-dependent transition correlates with the hydration number of the lanthanide ions.
Conclusions:
- The atomic number of lanthanide ions significantly impacts the 2D structures formed in Langmuir films.
- The observed Z-dependent transition is attributed to variations in the first hydration shell, decreasing from approximately 9 water molecules for lighter lanthanides to 8 for heavier ones.
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