X-ray surface scattering investigation of Langmuir films: Phase transitions and elastic properties

We have investigated Langmuir films at the water surface using grazing-incidence diffuse X-ray scattering. We show that beyond structural parameters like the film thickness and density, diffuse scattering also gives access to phase transitions and elastic properties (surface tension and bending rigi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Europhysics letters 2004-06, Vol.66 (5), p.694-700
Main Authors: Mora, S, Daillant, J, Luzet, D, Struth, B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
61.10.Kw
68.03.Cd
68.18.-g
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Summary:We have investigated Langmuir films at the water surface using grazing-incidence diffuse X-ray scattering. We show that beyond structural parameters like the film thickness and density, diffuse scattering also gives access to phase transitions and elastic properties (surface tension and bending rigidity). We find that the surface tension measured with X-rays is consistent with the Wilhelmy plate measurements, at least for tilted phases. The bending rigidity is found to be on the order of 20–$30 k_{\ab{B}}T$ whatever the phase. The underlying molecular mechanisms are discussed using different models.
ISSN:0295-5075
1286-4854
DOI:10.1209/epl/i2003-10252-6