X-ray reflectivity investigation of the foam bilayer film formed by hexaethylene glycol dodecyl ethe

Structural parameters for the free-standing foam film of hexaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C12E6) have been measured by using X-ray reflectometry. The results indicate that a "five-laminae" model corresponds to this inverted bilayer and divides it into five regions. The thicknesses of the aliphatic chainregions, the polar head-group regions, and the central aqueous core are 0.90, 1.35 and 1.31 nm, respectively; and their corresponding electron densities are 2.4 ( 10?3, 2.6 ( 10?3 and 2.3(10?3 electron/nm3, respectively; the interfacial roughness between adjacent regions is 0.34 nm. The central core of this foam film does not contain free water, its thickness decreased 0.40 nm under the irradiation of infrared rays due to the loss of structural water.