Surface dynamic elasticity of amphiphilic block copolymer monolayers on a water surface

The methods of longitudinal and transverse surface waves and of oscillating barrier were used to measure a surface dynamic elasticity of the monolayers of poly(ethylene oxide) and polystyrene block copolymers spread on water within the frequency range of 0.007-520 Hz. At low surface concentrations, the properties of monolayers are determined by the poly(ethylene oxide) block. Upon further monolayer compression, the transition to the regime of polymer brush occurs when the surface dynamic elasticity increases dramatically. Change in the molecular weight of poly(ethylene oxide) block does not lead to the qualitative change in the dependence of surface properties on the degree of monolayer compression. Surface viscosity in the regime of brush significantly differs from the results of calculations made by Buzza et al. [26]. Possible reasons for this difference are discussed.