Design of mixed Langmuir films exposing segregated hydroxyl domains for inducing ice nucleation

The structure of mixed Langmuir films of the normal alkane C(32)H(66) With different quantities of the normal alcohol C(31)H(63)OH Or the diol HO(CH(2))(30)OH on pure water were determined in situ by applying surface-sensitive methods that include grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) and by induced freezing of water drops. Random solid solutions were formed between the alkane and C(31)H(63)OH On the other hand, segregation of the two components was observed in the mixed systems of the alkane and HO(CH(2))(30)OH. These findings suggest new ways for the design of hydrophobic surfaces bearing hydrophilic sites, which may be appropriate for epitaxial ice nucleation and cloud seeding purposes.