THE TEMPORAL AND THERMAL-STABILITY OF PYROELECTRIC CALIX[8]ARENE LANGMUIR-BLODGETT-FILMS

Pyroelectric Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of calix[8]arene have been p repared using the alternate-layer technique. The technique allows the co-deposition of carboxyl and amino-substituted calix[8]arenes, and re sults in the alternating acid/amine/acid... layer structure. A pyroele ctric coefficient of up to 15 mu C m(-2)K(-1) has been obtained from a 13 alternate layer t-butyl calix[8]arene LB film. The pyroelectric re sponse of this system has been shown to remain constant over similar t o 5000 continuous heating and cooling cycles. The introduction of meta l ions into the LB matrix dramatically increases the temperature range over which the pyroelectric activity can be measured. (C) 1998 Elsevi er Science S.A. All rights reserved.