Solid Interfaces
Phase Transitions and Transport Phenomena in Thin Films at Solid/Air Interfaces
2.) The wetting properties of surrounding interfaces broaden the (first-order) solid/liquid phase transition of adsorbed aggregates through interface-induced pre-melting. This phenomenon is used as a general tool to quantify the intermolecular interactions within adsorbed sub-monolayer films (Fig. 2a).
Fig. 2a: Lateral molecular interactions in alkane and alcohol submonolayers as function of the coverage. Below 1Θ0.45nm (= 0.45nm average coverage) both substances show the same 2-d gas behavior (identical slopes). Above, the alcohol interactions are dominated by changes in the hydration as function of the coverage.