Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of side-chain liquid-crystalline poly(maleic acid-alt-1-alkene)s
article
Langmuir layers of side-chain liquid-crystalline poly(maleic acid-alt-1-alkene)s (SCLCPs) with biphenyl mesogens were studied on water subphases but were also transferred by the use of the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. Brewster angle microscopy showed that the SCLCPs with methoxybiphenyl mesogens strongly aggregate on the water subphase and form islands, which merge upon compression. In contrast, SCLCPs with cyanobiphenyl mesogens spread nicely and compression of these polymers resulted in the formation of triple layers. Langmuir monolayers of SCLCPs with methoxybiphenyl mesogens show Z-type transfer. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray reflectivity measurements of the resulting Langmuir-Blodgett mono-and/or multilayers indicate that the side chains of these polymers are possibly tilted. The multilayers have a double layer periodicity, which requires a reorientation of the side chains during or after transfer. Annealing of these Langmuir-Blodgett films resulted in an increase of the mean film thickness and a more uniform d spacing within the multilayer. With atomic force microscopy droplets were observed on top of the multilayer, indicating dewetting of the upper layers.
Topics
TNO Identifier
235951
ISSN
07437463
Source
Langmuir, 17(1), pp. 78-85.
Publisher
American Chemical Society ACS
Collation
8 p.
Place of publication
Washington, DC, USA
Pages
78-85
Files
To receive the publication files, please send an e-mail request to TNO Repository.