Abstract
Real-time atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging revealed for the first time, the detailed growth/dissolution mechanism of Lauryl glycol (LG) or 1, 2 dodecanediol molecules on HOPG at the nano-level after recrystallizing them from chloroform solution. At the early stage of recrystallization, parallelogram-like-structures having lengths of several microns and distinct widths (between ~ 100 - 400 nm) were observed. Growth/dissolution behavior of these parallelogram-like-structures as a function of time was investigated. While dissolution occurred along all three dimensions, growth was found to be strictly two dimensional. Both the growth and dissolution process were found to be logarithmic in nature. The average growth rates along their length and width were found to be 11 nm/min and 1.5 nm/min respectively. Average dissolution rate in percentage on HOPG surface was found to be ~ 0.078%/min. Based upon the recrystallization of LG molecules schematics are drawn for a better understanding of the recrystallization process.
Highlights
Real-time atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging revealed for the first time, the detailed growth/dissolution mechanism of Lauryl glycol (LG) or 1, 2 dodecanediol molecules on HOPG at the nano-level after recrystallizing them from chloroform solution
We have examined the real time growth process of lauryl glycol on HOPG
Real time recrystallization process was observed by AFM, after applying a 10 μL droplet of appropriate concentration of lauryl glycol dissolved in chloroform on to the HOPG surface
Summary
Real-time atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging revealed for the first time, the detailed growth/dissolution mechanism of Lauryl glycol (LG) or 1, 2 dodecanediol molecules on HOPG at the nano-level after recrystallizing them from chloroform solution. Visualization of the process was observed in ex-situ AFM using tapping mode after recrystallizing them from a chloroform solution on to a HOPG substrate. There is obviously a strong incentive to understand how diols behave as an absorption material on a nanoscale which will provide key insights about their interaction with nonpolar substrates such as animal skin when used as constituents in cosmetics or their role as reducing agents. Real time recrystallization process was observed by AFM, after applying a 10 μL droplet of appropriate concentration (exact concentrations used are described in the result section) of lauryl glycol dissolved in chloroform on to the HOPG surface. Commercially available Pico image software from Keysight technology was used to determine the surface coverage of LG molecules
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