Diffuse X-Ray Scattering near a Two-Dimensional Solid - Liquid Phase Transition at the n-Hexane - Water Interface

TL;DR

This study investigates the phase transition in a monolayer of melissic acid at the n-hexane-water interface using X-ray scattering, revealing a crystallization transition following a wetting transition as temperature decreases.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of a two-dimensional solid-liquid phase transition at the interface, linking it to wetting phenomena.

Findings

Observation of a phase transition near the interface

Correlation between wetting transition and crystallization

Use of synchrotron X-ray scattering for interface analysis

Abstract

According to experimental data on X-ray scattering and reflectometry with the use of synchrotron radiation, a two-dimensional crystallization phase transition in a monolayer of melissic acid at the n-hexane - water interface with a decrease in the temperature occurs after a wetting transition.