A new model for neutron reflectometry of adsorbed surfactant aggregates

Journal Article · Thu Dec 16 04:00:00 EST 1999 · Journal of Physical Chemistry B: Materials, Surfaces, Interfaces, amp Biophysical

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/jp990827j· OSTI ID:20013657

Schulz, J C; Warr, G G; Hamilton, W A; Butler, P D

A new interpretation of neutron reflectivity data for surfactants adsorbed on hydrophilic solid surfaces has been developed. Motivated by recent atomic force microscopy results, a model of the adsorbed layer is constructed based upon an adsorbed layer consisting of discrete, micelle-like surfactant aggregates of well-defined geometries. Scattering length density profiles and reflectivity curves are calculated for conventional, laterally unstructured adsorbed layers (a bilayer), as well as for cylindrical and spherical surfactant aggregates adsorbed on a hydrophilic surface. It is shown that treating such structured surfactant films as bilayers often results in a good fit to neutron reflectivity data, but that fit parameters lead one to underestimate the film thickness and overestimate the fractional surface coverage by the adsorbed film.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Sydney (AU)
• Sponsoring Organization: Australian Research Council; Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization; Department of Energy
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-96OR22464
• OSTI ID: 20013657
• Journal Information: Journal of Physical Chemistry B: Materials, Surfaces, Interfaces, amp Biophysical, Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry B: Materials, Surfaces, Interfaces, amp Biophysical Journal Issue: 50 Vol. 103; ISSN 1089-5647; ISSN JPCBFK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ADSORPTION
ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY
MORPHOLOGY
SCATTERING
SURFACES
SURFACTANTS