Cross-linking of polybutadiene at the air/water interface: Toward an easy access to two-dimensional polymeric materials

A novel approach to two-dimensionally crosslink polydienes at the air/water interface is proposed. The acid-catalyzed condensation of the triethoxysilane pendant groups of triethoxysilane-functionalized polybutadiene chains at the air/water interface successfully led to the formation of an insoluble crosslinked material which could be directly removed from the water surface. The efficiency of the cross-linking reaction was demonstrated through surface pressure measurements such as surface pressure–mean molecular area isotherms recorded at different reaction times and isobar experiments for different subphase pH values. The evolution of the monolayer topography during cross-linking was studied by atomic force microscopy imaging of the Langmuir–Blodgett films.