Model for Phase Transitions in the Solid Phases of Langmuir Monolayers

Abstract

A quasi two-dimensional (2D) model for the solid phases (CS, S, and LS) of Langmuir monolayers is proposed. The model can reproduce the CS-S and S-LS transitions and many other experimental results observed in the monolayers of fatty acids using parameters that can be estimated from experiments. It is demonstrated that, although being ignored in many theories, electrostatic interactions indeed play a crucial role in the polymorphism of the monolayer.