Mixed monolayers of polymethacrylic esters containing aromatic and aliphatic groups

Abstract

The interfacial properties of mixtures of polymethacrylic polymers containing either aromatic or aliphatic side groups were studied at water-air interface in order to define the role of geometrical orientation on surface compatibility and the effect of aromatic interactions on ordered bidimensional systems. Two binary systems were studied: polyphenylmethacrylate/ polyhexylmethacrylate and polyphenylmethacrylate/polybenzylmethacrylate. Surface pressure and surface potential measurements were performed in the 288–303 K temperature range on the mixtures at different polymer concentrations. Further information was obtained from ellipsometric measurements and scanning electron microscopy of the collapsed material. The experimental results allow for the conclusion that both polymers containing aromatic groups are almost ideally miscible whereas mixtures of aliphatic and aromatic polymers are completely immiscible.