Evidence of lying molecules in the structure of the most condensed phase of semi-fluorinated alkane monolayers

Semifluorinated alkanes are known to form peculiar nano-structured monolayers on the surface of water. A comprehensive analysis of in situ Grazing Incidence Small Angle X-ray Scattering (GISAXS) proves that the structure of their condensed phase consists of domains of upright molecules surrounded by lying down molecules. Such a model explains the non-coalescence of the domains and is in agreement with the high resolution AFM images of monolayers at the surfaces of solid substrates. The interaction of the lying molecule dipoles with the dipole of the water surface is proposed to explain the observed structuration.