PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MONOLAYERS AND MULTILAYERS

A survey is given on recent developments in the preparation of ultrathin polymer films with the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. Low molecular weight amphiphiles and preformed polymers are compared with special emphasis on the structural requirements to stabilize the multilayers. It is shown how deviations from the traditional concepts of the Langmuir-Blodgett technique can lead to improved film preparation for polymers. The characterization of the molecular orientation, especially of the molecular order of alkyl chains is obtained by means of infrared transmission and grazing incidence reflection spectroscopy. The lateral structure and morphology of multilayers can be characterized by a newly developed metal decoration technique. A cross-like network structure of silver decorated polyglutamate multilayers is resolved by polarization microscopy.