Synthesis of ultrathin polymer films by self assembly

Recent progresses in the self assembly of ultrathin polymer films are described. Bilayer membranes of polymeric hydrogen‐bond networks are formed in water. Two‐dimensional networks of organic and inorganic polymers are formed in cast films of synthetic bilayer membranes to give stable multilayer films upon removal of the matrices. The monolayer at the air‐water interface constitutes suitable templates for 2D polymer networks, and it may be either removed or part of the 2D film. Successive adsorption of polycations and polyanions under carefully controlled conditions produces layered polyion complexes in the stepwise manner. Various polymer chains are epitaxially adsorbed onto graphite. All these results indicate that molecularly defined 2D polymer structures are readily available.