Direct observation of the polymer and monomer Langmuir-Blodgett films withthe atomic force microscope

Molecular arrangement of two kinds of Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers composed of poly(N-dodecylacrylamide) and N-octadecylacrylamide win characterized w ith the atomic force microscope (AFM), The dodecyl side chains in the polym er Langmuir-Blodgett monolayer were observed as random molecular arrangemen t. In contrast, alkyl chains in N-octadecylacrylamide monomer Langmuir-Blod gett film were highly ordered to form two dimensional crystals. The X-ray d iffraction patterns of the monomer and polymer Langmuir-Blodgett films were consistent with the AFM observation. The polymer Langmuir-Blodgett monolay er was not destroyed by AFM tip scanned in the contact mode, indicating tha t the monolayer is mechanically appreciably stable. (C) 1999 Published by E lsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.