Self-assembly of non-linear polymers at the air/water interface: the effect of molecular architecture

In comparison with conventional linear polymers, due to the presence of joints, branches, end groups, etc, non-linear polymers possess more variables that allow for the tailoring of steric constraints, stacking interactions, and hydrogen bonding of these polymers at the air/water interface to precisely control the self-assembly process to yield functional Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films for various applications. This Review summarizes recent developments in the field of self-assembly of non-linear polymers at the air/water interface, focusing on the influence of molecular architecture. Four classes of non-linear systems (polymer brushes, star-like polymers, dendritic polymers, and linear–dendritic polymers) with representative examples are highlighted to elaborate their interfacial behaviors originating from different molecular architectures.