Holes in a stearic acid monolayer observed by dark-field electron microscopy

摘要: The structure and behaviour of surface monolayers have been extensively studied for the past few decades, leading to practical applications electronic devices as well biomimetic study. basic concept underlying these wide is thought be homogeneity expected monomolecular films properly compressed on water surface. structures investigated by spectroscopy, X-ray electron diffraction1–3 other indirect methods. real structure, however, should inspected using direct microscopy. Here we report first observation which clearly reveals surprising feature that film stearic acid not completely homogeneous but includes densely scattered small holes, contrary currently accepted homogeneity.