Self-Organized Monolayer Films of Stimulus-Responsive Micelles

Weakly charged micelles of poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) [10% quaternized]-block-poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (10qDMA-DEA) adsorb to form a highly ordered monolayer at the mica−solution interface at pH 8.9. Rinsing with solvent at pH 9 has little effect on the adsorbed layer. Reduction of the pH to 4 results in an irreversible swelling of the thin film, in contrast to a micelle-to-unimer transition seen for the diblock in bulk solution. The resilience of the adsorbed layer opens up potential nanotechnological applications.