M. Puterman, T. Fort, J. Lando
Jun 1, 1974
Citations
0
Influential Citations
51
Citations
Journal
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
Abstract
Abstract This study is a continuation of previous work done in this laboratory which has demonstrated the possibility of polymerizing multilayers of vinyl stearate to a controlled extent; thus, paving the way for the preparation of thin polymeric films. In the present work, the formation of mixed multilayers of various compositions of vinyl and ethyl stearate was studied. The polymerization reaction was initiated by cobalt-60 γ-radiation. The extent of polymerization was followed by internal reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR), while the structure and orientation of the multilayers before and after the reaction were determined by polarized ATR infrared spectroscopy and by X-ray diffraction. It was found that the ethyl stearate creates a homogeneous solid solution with the vinyl stearate in monolayers and multilayers and lowers the extent of polymerization when it is present in a significant concentration. There is a high degree of order in the original monomeric film, which is proved to be made of many crystallites oriented normal to the film but randomly around the normal to the surface. Considerable order is maintained after the polymerization reaction.