An Ultrathin Polymer Network through Polyion-Complex by Using Sodium Dioctadecyl Sulfate as Monolayer Template

Two-dimensionally cross-linked ultrathin films of poly(maleic acid-alt-methyl vinyl ether) (MA-MVE) and poly(allylamine) (PAA) were produced by using sodium dioctadecyl sulfate (2C18S) as the monolayer template for Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) deposition. The template molecules were subsequently removed by thermal treatment followed by extraction. The polyion-complexed monolayers of three components, i.e., template 2C18S, co-spread PAA, and subphase MA-MVE, were formed at the air-water interface. Their monolayer properties were studied by the surface pressure-area isotherm. The monolayers were transferred on solid substrates as Y type. The polyion-complexed LB films and the resulting network films were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cross-linking to form a polymer network was achieved by amide or imide formation through heat treatment under a vacuum. SEM observation of the film on a porous fluorocarbon membrane filter (pore diameter 0.1 μm) showed covering of the pores by four layers in the polyion complex state. Extraction by chloroform followed by heat treatment produced hole defects in the film.