Surfactant adsorbed layer structure at solid/solution interfaces: impact and implications of AFM imaging studies

Recent advances in determination and understanding of surfactant adsorbed layer structure at the solid/solution interface are reviewed, with particular attention to atomic force microscopy imaging. The emerging picture of the surfactant adsorbed layer on solid substrates as consisting of micelle-like aggregates is described, and some unresolved issues and possible future line of inquiry discussed.