Abstract
Structure forces in n-alcohols (CnH2n+1OH (8≤ n≤12)) on the mica or graphite surfaces were investigated using an atomic force microscope (AFM). The structure force on graphite has a periodicity of ∼0.5 nm, which is independent of temperature. The structure force on mica has a periodicity of 0.86 nm when T<40° C which increases linearly with n in the range 1.7 to 2.3 nm when T>40° C. This phase transition corresponds to a change in the alignment of molecules on the surface from parallel (lying, at T<40° C) to normal (standing, at T>40° C).