Producing polymeric films from a surfactant template

Abstract

A method for producing polymeric films in which a substrate surface is contacted with a surfactant solution, comprising a liquid in which at least a first surfactant is dissolved, so that an itnerface is formed between the substrate surface and the surfactant solution, under conditions which promote the assembly at such interface of surfactant molecules, such assembled molecules defining a surfactant template for the film to be produced. After monomer molecules have become concentrated within the surfactant template, polymerization is effected to produce an ultrathin polymeric film dimensionally determined by the surfactant template. Such film is characterized by a polymer network disposed within a surfactant template. The method of the present invention may be used to coat the surface of an object, such as an object which is porous or has non-planar surfaces, or may be used to coat particulate matter.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.