The present disclosure is directed to methods for preparing nanoparticle monolayers on a sub-phase by controlling the spreading rate of the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are first prepared in a nanoparticle solution at a predetermined concentration with a solvent. The sub-phase solution is prepared to have a density and viscosity compatible with the desired spreading rate. Additives, such as glycerol, are used to alter the density of the sub-phase solution. A volume of nanoparticle solution is deposited on the surface of the sub-phase solution and allowed to spread in a controlled manner on the unconstrained surface, forming a uniform nanoparticle monolayer. A substrate is then placed in contact with the nanoparticle monolayer to form a uniform nanoparticle coating on the surface of the substrate.

A method for forming a compact film of particles on a surface of a carrier liquid, including: positioning at least one particle support in the carrier liquid, the support including at least one solidified portion in which the particles are trapped and that is made from at least one cooled liquid, melting of the support in the carrier liquid resulting in release of the particles on the surface of the carrier liquid; and organizing the released particles to obtain the compact film of particles on the surface of the carrier liquid.

A method for forming a compact film of particles on a surface of a carrier liquid, including: positioning at least one particle support in the carrier liquid, the support including at least one solidified portion in which the particles are trapped and that is made from at least one cooled liquid, melting of the support in the carrier liquid resulting in release of the particles on the surface of the carrier liquid; and organizing the released particles to obtain the compact film of particles on the surface of the carrier liquid.

A method for preparing a semiconducting thin film and device for carrying out the method, wherein the method includes: (1) providing a liquid-liquid interface; (2) providing at least one layered semiconductor material or its precursor(s) in the form of particles in a solvent in the form of a dispersion; (3) injecting the dispersion at the liquid-liquid interface, in order to obtain an assembly of semiconductor/semiconductor precursor particles; (4) bringing the assembly of into contact with a flexible substrate; and (5) applying a surface pressure to the dispersion to obtain a particle film of semiconductor/semiconductor precursor on the substrate, wherein the first solvent has a higher density than the second solvent.

An apparatus and method for producing a coated analytic substrate using a compact and portable automated instrument located in the laboratory setting at the point of use which can consistently produce one or a plurality of coated analytic substrates “on demand” for using the analytic substrate immediately after coating, preferably without a step of rinsing the coated analytic substrate before use. The apparatus preferably uses applicator cartridges having a reservoir containing the coating compositions used to form the coatings. Preferably the cartridges are removable and interchangeable to facilitate the production of individual analytic substrates having different coatings or different coating patterns. These coated analytic substrates have superior specimen adhesion characteristics due to the improved quality of the coatings applied by the coating apparatus and due to the quickness with which the coated analytic substrates can be used in the lab after production.

An apparatus and method for producing a coated analytic substrate using a compact and portable automated instrument located in the laboratory setting at the point of use which can consistently produce one or a plurality of coated analytic substrates “on demand” for using the analytic substrate immediately after coating, preferably without a step of rinsing the coated analytic substrate before use. The apparatus preferably uses applicator cartridges having a reservoir containing the coating compositions used to form the coatings. Preferably the cartridges are removable and interchangeable to facilitate the production of individual analytic substrates having different coatings or different coating patterns. These coated analytic substrates have superior specimen adhesion characteristics due to the improved quality of the coatings applied by the coating apparatus and due to the quickness with which the coated analytic substrates can be used in the lab after production.

A method for depositing a film on a substrate, which includes the steps of forming a film using a liquid composition that includes a neutral surfactant and a charged lamellar compound, placing the film in contact with the substrate and depositing the film on substrate. Also, a process for analyzing a substrate onto which a film has been deposited by the method.

Disclosed herein are inventive methods of making thin films, inventive thin films, and inventive articles and systems comprising thin films. Certain embodiments are related to methods of making thin films in which reagents are arranged within a first phase and a second phase such that at least one reagent reacts to form a thin film proximate to the interface between the first phase and the second phase. Thin films (including two-dimensional materials) disclosed herein can have one or more of a variety of beneficial properties including large lateral dimension(s), lateral continuity, high mechanical strength, consistent spatial composition, and/or consistent thickness. In accordance with certain embodiments, thin films disclosed herein can be combined to form a variety of inventive multi-layer articles, including multi-layer articles comprising a combination of thin films having different compositions that interact with each other via van der Waals forces.

Disclosed herein are inventive methods of making thin films, inventive thin films, and inventive articles and systems comprising thin films. Certain embodiments are related to methods of making thin films in which reagents are arranged within a first phase and a second phase such that at least one reagent reacts to form a thin film proximate to the interface between the first phase and the second phase. Thin films (including two-dimensional materials) disclosed herein can have one or more of a variety of beneficial properties including large lateral dimension(s), lateral continuity, high mechanical strength, consistent spatial composition, and/or consistent thickness. In accordance with certain embodiments, thin films disclosed herein can be combined to form a variety of inventive multi-layer articles, including multi-layer articles comprising a combination of thin films having different compositions that interact with each other via van der Waals forces.

This invention generally relates to a method for preparing and transferring a monolayer or thin film. In particular this present invention is an improved version of the Langmuir-Schaefer technique for preparing and transferring a monolayer or thin film, incorporating in situ thermal control of the substrate during the transfer process.