Formation of lyotropic liquid crystals at the graphite/aqueous solution interface

The self-assembly of quaternary ammonium salt surfactants on the cleavage p lane of graphite has been investigated by direct imaging using AFM and forc e curves. It is shown that the graphite surface orients the first adsorbate layer into stripes of hemicylindrical micelles (see Figure for a schematic picture). From there, a hexagonal array of cylindrical liquid crystal stri pes builds up at higher surfactant concentration.