LANGMUIR-BLODGETT MONOLAYERS AND MULTILAYERS OF POLY(ISOCYANIDE)S WITH DIFFERENT SIDE-CHAINS

In this study poly(isocyanide)s, [R-N = C bonded]n with different sidechains R are used as spreading material to form LB monolayers at the water-air interface. Poly(isocyanide)s are rigid-rod polymers with a stable, helical conformation. One of the aims of this study was to ascertain whether this rigid conformation is sufficient to enable the formation of a stable monolayer on the water surface. We find that different poly(isocyanide)s with non-polar aliphatic substituents are unable to form such stable monolayers. On the other hand, poly((S)-1-acetoxymethylethyl-isocyanide),a polymer which has polar substituents, does form a stable monolayer. This monolayer can be transferred onto all kinds of substrates by Z-type transfer. Multilayer formation is possible with transfer ratios remaining constant up to at least 40 layers. From IR measurements it follows that the polymer helices are preferentially oriented with their main axis parallel to the transfer direction.