Phase Transitions in Poly-<i>n</i>-Alkyl Methacrylate Monolayers

Abstract

Abstract The effects of temperature on the surface pressure of monolayers of polymethacrylates with n-alkyl groups containing from 9 to 18 carbon atoms have been studied. Two kinds of phase transitions have been observed in the surface pressure-area isotherms. On the basis of the bulk properties of the polymers, these phase changes have been interpreted as the transition of the monolayer to a three-dimensional fluid state and as side-chain crystallization.