Formation of large PEE domains in PEE212-PEO112 diblock copolymer monolayers: shift of the PEO-desorption transition.
PEE212-PEO112 diblock copolymer monolayers are studied at the air/water interface. At large molecular areas, with X-ray reflectivity, PEE domains are observed, which are partly immersed into the water. The domain thickness increases on compression (28 to 40 A). With off-specular X-ray reflectivity, an average domain radius of 750 A is found, but there are also smaller domains. Due to these space constraints, most PEO blocks form a brush beneath the PEE domains. Only a few PEO blocks form a corona surrounding the domains and adsorb flatly onto the air/water interface. The PEO desorption transition is observed at the typical pressure of 9 mN/m, when the flatly adsorbed PEO is compressed at a domain fraction of 95%. It occurs at 6 A2/EO monomer, about half the value found for lipopolymers or diblock copolymers with NPEE approximately NPEO or NPEE < NPEO. Apparently, the thickness of the PEE domains is determined by the forces from the two interfaces, not by the PEO block, for which flat adsorption beneath the domain would be more favorable instead of formation of a PEO brush.
Wesemann
Alexander
A
Institut für Physik, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Strasse 16, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany.
Ahrens
Heiko
H
Förster
Stephan
S
Helm
Christiane A
CA