Surface activity of modified dendrimers at high compression

The effect of peripheral substitution on the surface activity of poly(aryl ether) dendrimers on water are being examined by measurements of the Π-A isotherms and by neutron reflectometry. Contrast variation is used to define the molecular film structure at the air-water interface at high compressions. Monolayers are present for the methyl ester-substituted and cyanide-substituted dendrimers, whilst a partial second layer is formed for the unsubstituted [G-4]-OH dendrimer. The effect of temperature on these molecular films is also being investigated. © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.