EFFECTS OF SPREADING SOLVENTS ON THE MONOLAYERS OF POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)

The effect of spreading solvents on the monolayer properties of poly(m ethyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at the air-water interface has been studied by surface pressure- and surface potential-surface concentration isot herms. The isotherms are strongly influenced by the polarity of the so lvents used and there is local structure ordering of the ester backbon e. The local structural changes are also substantiated by wide angle X -ray scattering studies of the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of PMMA pr epared from the different solvents. The conformational changes seen at the air-water interface are explained in terms of a stereocomplex for mation by the PMMA molecules.