ASSEMBLY OF SUPRAMOLECULAR POLYMERS IN ULTRATHIN FILMS

This review presents a sketch of the current status and trends in the field of organized assemblies from supramolecular polymeric systems. A mong various classes of polymeric systems used to fabricate organized films, we select supramolecular polymers able to self-organize or be o rganized in complicated superlattices in the bulk state and/or at an i nterface with low-dimensional ordering. We focus on the microstructura l behavior in different classes of polymers and their abilities to for m various organized superstructures at surfaces and interfaces. Among the supramolecular polymers discussed are: mesomorphic polymers with c hromophore and non-linear optic fragments, chiral and amphotropic poly mers, systems with hydrogen bonding and discotic compounds, hairy-rod and electroactive macromolecules, block-polymers and fullerene-based s ystems, dendritic and latex nanocomposites, organic-inorganic organize d composites and biomolecular complexes. The variation of molecular sh apes, architecture of polymer backbones and specific intermolecular in teractions are very effective tools for tailoring supramolecular organ ization of these materials in ultrathin films. We discuss the merits o f various fabrication techniques as applied to ultrathin organized fil ms, such as Langmuir-Blodgett, self-assembly and forced solvent remova l methods, as well as some characterization techniques. The physical p roperties of these films are discussed briefly with emphasis on optica l, electric, transport, sensing and nanomechanical behavior. Finally, some thoughts about the future development in this field are presented . (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.