How self-assembled nanodomains can impact the organization of a phospholipid monolayer - Flower-like arrays.

We found that monolayers of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and semi-fluorinated tetrablock di( F 10 H 16) self-assemble to form a new type of large, complex flower-like patterns on the surface of water and on solid substrates. The hierarchical organization of these unusual self-assemblies was investigated using compression and surface potential isotherms, in situ fluorescence and Brewster angle microscopies, and atomic force microscopy after transfer.