NUCLEATION IN INSOLUBLE MONOLAYERS .1. NUCLEATION AND GROWTH-MODEL FOR RELAXATION OF METASTABLE MONOLAYERS

The nucleation theory introduced for apparent area relaxation of insoluble monolayers at constant surface pressure is characterized by two main features: (i) the overall rate of the process is described by convolution of the nucleation rate and growth rate and (ii) the overlap of the growing centers is taken into consideration. The theoretical model allows us to distinguish between different nucleation mechanisms. Two experimental examples of octadecanoic acid monolayers have been given for the occurrence of different nucleation mechanisms. Excellent correspondence of calculated and experimental relaxation kinetics has been obtained.