Langmuir film of regioregular poly(4-dodecyl-2,2′-bithiophene)

Regioregular poly(4-dodecyl-2,2′-bithiophene) (P4DBT) is synthesized via the McCullough polymerization route using Ni(dppp)Cl2 as a catalyst and characterized by UV–visible and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The film-forming properties of P4DBT at the air–water interface are investigated through surface pressure–area isotherm and Brewster angle microscopy studies. The strong interaction between the polymer chains affects the spreadability of P4DBT at the air–water interface and multilayer stacks are formed rather than a true monolayer. The present study underlines the necessity of considering the hydrophilic and hydrophobic balance in the design and synthesis of functional materials to be processed through the LB technique.