Order and Disorder in Novel Condensed Phases Formed at Interfaces

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The goal of this research project was to understand the "Order and Disorder, or Complexity" created in various novel "2-D Solids" formed at interfaces. It has been investigated from both the structural and thermodynamic aspects. Three types of condensed phases have been studied; (a) 2-D solids formed at gas-solid interfaces, (b) 2-D solids formed at solid-liquid interfaces, and (c) 2-D ice crystals formed during the initial crystallization process. We applied scanning probe microscope as well as calorimetry and X-ray and neutron diffraction techniques. The followings are the results obtained in this year.1.With scanning probe microscope, we tried to observe the structure of a couple of liquid-crystalline materials adsorbed on the surface of graphite (and mica) under a vacuum at the temperature ranging from 150 K to 400 K. While we met various problems in obtaining the real feature, this technique certainly became one of our powerful methods to study those systems.2.X-ray and neutron diffraction techniques have been continuously applied to those systems successfully. We- published a paper on this. As an extension of this research, we have started another project to see the structure of perfluoroalkane monolayers adsorbed on graphite.3.For the glycerol/water system, we published one paper and continue to study the thermodynamic feature at very low temperature down to 0.4 K. The crystallization of cubic ice and hexagonal ice from the mixture is going to be very interesting, which may be very important also from the practical point of view.