Abstract: The material comprises a membrane constituted either by at least one monomolecular layer of amphiphilic molecules, or by amphiphilic molecules adsorbed on a substrate, and microaggregates of the metal, inorganic compound or organometallic compound retained on or in the membrane. It is prepared from a membrane containing a metal ion or a precursor compound of said metal, inorganic compound or organometallic compound, by reacting the ion or precursor compound fixed in the membrane with at least one reagent for forming the metal, inorganic compound or organometallic compound in situ in the membrane. For example, the membrane can be constituted by monomolecular layers of behenic acid, which is then converted into silver behenate by contacting with a silver nitrate solution. Silver microaggregates are then formed in the membrane by reducing the silver behenate by means of hydrazine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and to an apparatus for producing alternate monomolecular layers. In per se known manner, a substrate is passed through the surface of a liquid contained in a vessel and over which has previously been spread a monomolecular layer of a given substance. According to the invention, the vessel is subdivided into two compartments. A monomolecular layer is deposited on the surface of the liquid contained in each of the compartments. The latter are arranged in such a way that there can be no contact between the monomolecular layers in each of them and the substrate is alternately moved between the compartments.