Polymer monolayers and Langmuir–Blodgett films. The influence of the chemical structure of the polymer and of external conditions on the formation and properties of organised planar assemblies

The current state of the problem of the preparation from polymers of planar mono- and multi-layer organised structures on the surface of a liquid or a solid is analysed. The structure and physicochemical properties of the corresponding monolayers and Langmuir–Blodgett films are examined and the characteristic features of the packing of the macromolecules on the surface of the liquid, questions concerning the stability of their monomolecular films, the compatibility of high- and low-molecular-mass compounds in the monolayers, and the influence of the degree of polymerisation, size, and orientation of the side group on the phase state of the monolayers are discussed. Much attention is devoted to the methods of preparation of Langmuir-Blodgett polymer films with a specified architecture and to the study of the characteristics of these monolayer ensembles and the prospects for their practical employment in molecular devices. The bibliography includes 306 references.