Langmuir, Vol.16, No.2, 626-630, 2000
Pattern formation in a self-assembled soap monolayer on the surface of water: A computer simulation study
A classical molecular dynamics simulation of a monolayer of sodium laurate (dodecanoate) at the air-water interface has been carried out. We found highly curved, dynamic structural features within the soap monolayer during the simulation. Introduction of salt in the water appears to suppress the formation of these structural patterns, indicating that electrostatic repulsion among anionic headgroups is a key component in creating these structures.