Investigation into the structure of Langmuir-Blodgett films prepared from salts of acetylenic acids

Langmuir-Blodgett films are prepared from lead, cadmium, and copper salts of carboxylic acids, namely, 23-tetracosynoic acid HC≡C(CH₂)₂₁COOH (with the terminal triple bond) and 2-docosynoic acid CH₃(CH₂)₁₈C≡CCOOH (with the internal triple bond). The structural transformations in the films during polymerization under exposure to UV radiation are investigated using X-ray reflectomertry. It is found that the X-ray reflectograms of the initial films prepared from salts of both acids exhibit no less than four or five pronounced intense Bragg reflections. This suggests that the initial films have good layer ordering. The bilayer periods for all the films are determined, and the influence of the salt type on the bilayer period is analyzed. It is established that, under exposure to UV radiation, the structural transformations in the films prepared from the salts of 23-tetracosynoic acid occur without substantial disturbances and defects, as can be judged from the absence of significant changes in the location and intensity of the Bragg reflections. An increase in the time of irradiation of the films prepared from the salts of 2-docosynoic acid leads to an increase in the bilayer period. This effect is especially pronounced for the lead and copper salts. However, upon long-term exposure to UV radiation, the salts undergo photolysis, the bilayer period decreases, and the structure of the film begins to break down.