Nano- and microstructured polymer LB layers: A combined AFM/SIMS study

Ultra thin structured polymer films have been prepared by horizontal precipitation Langmuir–Blodgett (HP-LB) method of polymer blends. In particular we used mixtures of two incompatible polymers, poly-2-vinylpyridine and polystyrene, the former giving the necessary surface activity for LB film formation. Upon spreading at the air–water interface, the blend forms different surface structures depending on the relative amount of the two components. By adjusting the experimental parameters it is possible to obtain relatively regular structures in the submicron size range, which can be transferred on a solid substrate. These systems have been investigated by means of SIMS and atomic force microscopy.