Chemical liquid deposition of aromatic poly(azomethine)s by spontaneous on-site polycondensation in aqueous solution.

Colored Schiff-base π-conjugated polymer thin films from different combinations of aromatic amines and aldehydes have been prepared. The polymer films spontaneously form under ambient conditions by simple immersion of graphite substrates in an aqueous solution containing the monomer units. Chemical liquid deposition is achieved by delicate control of solution pH, which allows surface selective polymerization and deposition but inhibits reaction in the aqueous phase.