Electron-Diffraction Studies of Fatty-Acid Monolayers

Abstract

ELECTRON-MICROSCOPE studies of monolayers of fatty acids transferred from the film balance at different surface pressures have revealed details of structure and behaviour¹. Small islands, one molecule thick and irregular in size and shape, appeared at low surface pressures, a continuous monolayer with discontinuous uncovered areas at intermediate pressures, a homogeneous continuous monolayer at high pressures, and long flat structures two molecules thick after collapse. Despite difficulties in the mechanics of transfer, the sequence of changes observed in the electron microscope was believed to parallel a similar sequence of changes during compression of the monolayer on the film balance. To investigate further the structure and behaviour of such monolayers, electron-diffraction studies have been made on samples transferred in the same manner as those transferred ior electron microscopy.