Monolayer properties of mixtures of poly(n-stearyl methacrylate), poly(n-lauryl methacrylate), and their corresponding copolymers

The monolayer properties of poly(n-stearyl methacrylate), poly(n-lauryl methacrylate), and their mixtures at various ratios of the two polymers have been studied from the measurements of their surface pressure–area isotherms at air–water interface. The monolayer properties of their mixtures have been compared with those of their corresponding copolymers. The results show that the isotherms of the mixed monolayers have two break points at higher pressures than that of poly(n-lauryl methacrylate). This suggests that the mixtures may form more stable films that consist of separate phases of the two homopolymers, although each phase may contain a small amount of the other. The isotherms of the copolymer monolayers indicate a phase transition from liquid condensed to solid film between 50 segment mole % and 70% poly(n-stearyl methacrylate). The monclayer of these copolymers has properties that differ from those of the corresponding mixtures of two pure homopolymers and is more compatible than the mixtures of pure homopolymers.