Molecular adhesion interactions between Langmuir monolayers and solid substrates

Substrate-monolayer adhesion interactions between differently prepared SiO2 surfaces and Langmuir monolayers were investigated. From the relation between the contact angle and the surface tension of a Langmuir monolayer in the configuration of Langmuir wetting the work of adhesion between the substrate and the monolayer as a function of the molecular packing and the transfer ratios was determined. Thus the molecular work of adhesion of different SiO2-dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine surfaces was quantified. The relation between the local adhesion interactions and the molecular packing and structure is presented and substrate-induced phase transitions are discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.