Comparing molecular packing and textures of Langmuir monolayers of fatty acids and their methyl and ethyl esters

Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and Brewster angle microscopic studies were performed to determine the Langmuir thin layers of several fatty acids and their methy and ethyl esters. The fatty acid samples examined were myristic acid, palmitic acid, methyl palmitate and ethyl palmitate. The influence of the headgroup structure on the texture and composition of the condensed phases was also investigated. Differences in the monolayers of these substances were attributed to their degree and direction of dispersion.