Observation of hexagonal crystalline diffraction from growing silicate films

Abstract

Clear evidence for hexagonal crystallinity in surfactant-templated silicate films growing at the air-water interface is presented for the first time. Grazing incidence synchrotron radiation diffraction shows the development of diffraction spots just as the `induction phase', identified previously, is completed. The observed hexagonal diffraction represents the in-plane ordering of the first two-three layers of film formed at the interface. Show more