Preparation of block-copolymer-type supramolecule at liquid-liquid interface via hydrogen bonding of end groups and its aggregation structure of thin film

Block-copolymer-type supramolecules composed of carboxy-terminated polystyrene(PS-COOH) and amino-terminated polyethyreneoxide(PEO-NH₂) were prepared in chloroform and at benzene/water interface via hydrogen-bonding interaction between end groups. Surface structures of these thin films were evaluated by atomic force microscopy(AFM). For both blend films, phase-separated structures with submicron scale were observed, meaning that there remained PS-COOH and PEO-NH₂ homopolymers. Its correlation length of phase domains for the thin film prepared at benzene/water interface was 165 nm whereas that of the film prepared in chloroform solution was 255 nm. This result indicates that the block-copolymer-type supramolecules can be prepared at benzene/water interface more efficiently than in chloroform solution.