Interpretation of SPM images of Langmuir-Blodgett films based on long-chain carboxylic acids

A 'horizontal precipitation' method for preparation of uniform Langmuir-Blo dgett (LB) films has been developed. The technique was successfully employe d in scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies of dense cobalt behenate monolayers deposited on a graphite substra te. Experimental results were complemented by a theoretical simulation of S TM images of long carbon chains using a zero-interaction model. The agreeme nt between the observed and simulated distributions of the STM current indi cates that the weak interactions between graphite and the adsorbed molecule s may be negligible. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.