Molecular order in solvent-cast stearic acid films

Atomic force microscopy was used to study the structures obtained by evaporating a drop of stearic acid dissolved in an organic solvent on a glass substrate. Bulk aggregates composed of molecular layers and flat dendritic shapes were found. According to the solvent used, two different crystalline lattices were observed and lattice symmetries together with unit mesh constants were determined. A periodic buckling superstructure of the crystalline lattice was observed for two of the solvents used.