Sum-frequency generation spectroscopy of cinnamate modified cellulosic polymer at the air-water interface

Monolayers of a cellulosic polymer bearing cinnamate groups were characterized at the air–water interface by combining isotherm measurements, Brewster angle microscopy, and infrared–visible sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy. This spectroscopic technique was used to detect the photochemical behavior of the cinnamate groups upon UV photoirradiation of the monolayers. From the disappearance of the C═C mode and the absence of a change in the C═O mode, it could be concluded that isomerization is the dominant photoreaction for a monolayer of this polymer. This conclusion was corroborated by a comparison of the spectra of the monolayer after irradiation with spectra measured for monolayers spread from preirradiated solutions, for which it is known that isomerization is the main process.