Synthesis, characterization, and conditions optima for thin film assembly of a light lanthanide nanocomplex

A light lanthanide thin film nanocomplex of Ce(III) with 2-mercaptopyridine-3-carboxylic acid (MPC) was synthesized via the layer-by-layer self-assembly (LbL-SA) chemical deposition method. The synthesized nanolanthanide complex was subjected to a number of analytical measurements to characterize and confirm its structure such as elemental analysis, electron impact mass spectra, FT-IR spectra, and UV–Vis spectra. The morphology and structure of the thin films of MPC ligand and its Ce(III) nanocomplex (CeMPC) were inspected with scanning electron microscopy. The nanothin films of CeMPC were subjected to X-ray powder diffraction analysis. The thermal decomposition of CeMPC nanothin films was studied and discussed. The thermal decomposition included seven steps. The optima of various controlling conditions for thin films of CeMPC nanocomplex assembly via LbL-SA were investigated and discussed.