Metal ion-containing LB films of n-octadecyl monomaleate copolymers

Interactions between polymers and metal ions at the air-water interface and in resulting LB films were investigated. The polymer was prepared from radical copolymerization of n-octadecyl monomaleate with a vinyl ether comonomer. The metal ions examined were Na+, Cs+, Mg2+, Fe2+, Al3+, and Fe3+. The surface pressure-area isotherms show that all the monolayers on aqueous metal ion reveal more expanded phases than on pure water. From the FT-IR (reflection and transmission) spectra, the formation of pendent carboxylate salts and the relative orientation of the polymer in LB film could be estimated. Quantitative analysis of metal ion concentration incorporated into the LB film was carried out by XPS measurement.