MONOLAYERS OF COMPLEXES FROM AMPHIPHILES AND RIGID ROD-LIKE POLYELECTROLYTES

Complexes of azobenzene bearing ammonium amphiphiles and rigid rod-lik e polyelectrolytes can be formed at the air-water interface. Complexat ion leads to a stabilization of the monolayer and to an enlarged area per amphilic molecule at high pressures. In contrast to the amphiphile on pure water forming homogeneous monolayers, the monolayers of the c omplexes have a distinct domain structure as determined by Brewster an gle microscopy. Orientation relative to the water surface and aggregat ion of the chromophores has been investigated via UV-vis spectroscopy. It was found that besides the amphiphile, the structure of the polyme r determines monolayer properties. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.