POLYMERIC SEPARATED PHASE IN MONOMOLECULAR FILMS REVEALED BY SCANNING FORCE MICROSCOPY

Polymeric phase domains in monolayers of a styrene functionalized surfactant are revealed by scanning force microscopy (SFM) inspection. The monomeric films are formed and polymerized by UV irradiation at the nitrogen-water interface and subsequently deposited on glass slides. SFM images have features similar to fluorescence microscope images but reveal more details of the polymeric phase texture. Polymeric domains are characterized by larger thickness and different roughness. Small polymeric clusters are also revealed.