IR and Raman spectroscopic study of the photopolymerization of Langmuir-Blodgett films of acetylenic acids

The UV induced photopolymerization of Langmuir-Blodgett films of lead salt of 2-docosynoic acid (CH3(CH2)18C=CCOOH) is studied using IR and Raman spectroscopy. It is found that the films are a highly ordered system with trans-configuration of alkyl chains and a bridged complex generated between the carboxyl group and the lead ion. Based on a change in the absorption band intensity in the IR spectra corresponding to the triple bond vibration, the degree of polymerization depending on the irradiation time is determined. In the Raman spectra, a peak at ∼1635 cm−1 appears during polymerization, which corresponds to the C=C double bond. The formation of conjugated double bonds in these systems is observed for the first time. During polymerization, methylene chains of molecules retain trans-configuration; the structural ordering of molecules in the film is observed.