Don't Forget Langmuir-Blodgett Films 2020: Interfacial Nanoarchitectonics with Molecules, Materials, and Living Objects.

Architecting interfacial structures with nanoscale (or molecular) components is one of the important tasks of the nanoarchitectonics concept. Especially, the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method can become a promising and powerful strategy in interfacial nanoarchitectonics. From this viewpoint, the status of LB films at 2020 will be discussed in this feature article. After one section on the basics of interfacial nanoarchitectonics with LB technique, various recent research examples of LB films are introduced according to classifications of (i) growing research, (ii) emerging research, and (iii) future research. In recent LB research, various materials other than traditional lipids and typical amphiphiles can be used as film components of the LB techniques. Low dimensional materials such as two-dimensional materials, supramolecular structures such as metal organic frameworks, and biomaterials such as DNA origami pieces are capable of working as functional components in the LB assemblies. Possible working areas of the LB methods would cover emerging demands including energy, environmental and biomedical applications upon uses of a wide range of functional materials. In addition, forefront research such as molecular manipulation and cell fate control is conducted in LB-related interfacial science. The LB technique is a traditional and well-develop methodology for molecular films with a ca 100-year history. However, there is plenty of room at the interfaces, as shown in LB research examples described in this feature articles. Continuous developments of science and technology of the LB method will hopefully keep this technique as unforgettable methodology.