Understanding segregation processes in SAMs formed by mixtures of hydroxylated and non-hydroxylated fatty acids

Author(s)

Bueno, Otto V. M. ^[1] ; Benitez, J. J. ^[2] ; San-Miguel, Miguel A. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Inst Chem, Dept Phys Chem, POB 6154, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Seville, Ctr Mixto CSIC, Inst Ciencias Mat Sevilla, Avda Amer Vespuccia 49, Seville 41092 - Spain

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: RSC ADVANCES; v. 9, n. 67, p. 39252-39263, DEC 1 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

In this paper, we focus on the segregation processes emerging when preparing mixtures with different compositions of aleuritic (9,10,16 trihydroxyhexadecanoic) (ALE) and palmitic (hexadecanoic) (PAL) acids. The combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations enabled us to prove the role of the functional groups in the formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on muscovite mica surfaces. MD simulations indicate that segregation processes are favored in high ALE composition mixtures in agreement with the experimental evidence, whereas low ALE compositions promote the co-existence between segregated and dispersed systems. The secondary hydroxyl groups play a central role in the self-assembling mechanism because they control the formation of hydrogen bonding networks guarantying system stability. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/23891-6 - Computer Modeling of Condensed Matter
• Grantee: Alex Antonelli
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials
• Grantee: Elson Longo da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC