Surface phase behavior in Gibbs monolayers of bis(ethylene glycol) mono-n-tetradecyl ether at the air-water interface

We present the adsorption kinetics and surface morphology of the adsorbed monolayers of bis(ethylene glycol) mono-n-tetradecyl ether (C14E2) by film balance and Brewster angle microscopy. A cusp point followed by a plateau region in the pressure (pi)-time (t) adsorption isotherm indicates a first-order phase transition in the coexistence region between a lower density liquid expanded (LE) phase and a higher density liquid condensed (LC) phase. A variety of condensed phase domains surrounded by the homogeneous LE phase are observed just after the appearance of the phase transition. The domains are of a spiral or striplike structure at lower temperatures. This characteristic shape of the domains is because of strong dipole-dipole repulsion between the molecules. At 18 degrees C, the domains are found to be quadrant structures. A slight increase in subphase temperature (around 1 degrees C) brings about a quadrant-to-circular shape transition in the domains. The circular domains return to quadrant structures as the subphase temperature is lowered. The domains completely disappear when the temperature is increased beyond 19 degrees C, suggesting that the critical temperature for the condensed domain formation is 19 degrees C. Above this temperature, the hypothetical surface pressure necessary for the phase transition exceeds the actual surface pressure attainable from a solution of concentration greater than or equal to the critical micelle concentration. An increase in molecular motion with increasing temperature results in a higher degree of chain flexibility. As a result, the molecules cannot accumulate in the condensed phase form when the subphase temperature is above 19 degrees C.