Solid - Liquid Phase Transition in a Gibbs Monolayer of Melissic Acid at the n-Hexane - Water Interface

TL;DR

This study reveals a sharp phase transition in a melissic acid monolayer at the n-hexane-water interface, from crystalline to liquid, characterized by X-ray reflectometry using synchrotron radiation.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed measurement of the phase transition in a melissic acid monolayer at this interface using advanced X-ray techniques.

Findings

Identified a crystalline to liquid phase transition at specific molecular areas.

Quantified the molecular area change during the phase transition.

Demonstrated the effectiveness of synchrotron X-ray reflectometry for interfacial phase studies.

Abstract

A sharp phase transition from a crystalline state with the area per molecule A = (17 +/- 1) Angstrom^2 to a liquid state with A = (23 +/- 1) Angstrom^2 at the n-hexane - water interface in a Gibbs monolayer of melissic acid has been revealed in data of X-ray reflectometry with the use of synchrotron radiation.