Vertical Sectioning of Molecular Assemblies at Air/Water Interface Using Laser Scanning Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy

Abstract

Laser scanning confocal microscopy was applied to collect vertical fluorescence intensity profiles of fluorescent supramolecular assemblies at the air/water interface. For monolayers, fluorescence was collected in the range of a couple of tens of micrometers according to the theoretical thickness of optical section. This technique provides an in situ possibility to monitor supramolecular assemblies and assembling at the air/water interface even without resolving in molecular dimensions.