Overturning of molecules in built-up iron stearate MML examined by 55Fe-tracer technique

Langmuir-Blodgett iron stearate layer was deposited from aqueous surface onto a substrate only on down-journey. On up-journey the substrate was withdrawn through a clean area. The condition of aqueous surface was the same as for the preparation of Y-type layer. 55Fe-tracer technique was developed for the examination of the direction of molecules. With this technique one can determine the distance from surface to 55Fe atoms combined with carboxyl groups of stearate, and obtain the information on the direction of molecules in the deposited layer with respect to the substrate. The change of direction was observed owing to overturning of molecules. The present overturning is different from that reported previously for the occurrence in the built-up layers other than X-type. (author)