Figure 1

Schematic cartoon of the AFM tip interacting with DSPC LB film, where the hydrophobic side and hydrophilic side of the film are illustrated in yellow and red respectively. (A) Interaction between AFM tip and DSPC monolayer LB film. (B) Monolayer of DSPC LB film, where the red ball and yellow bent rods represent the hydrophilic head and the hydrophobic tails of the DSPC molecule respectively. (C) The interaction of the AFM tip and the bilayer LB film of DSPC. (D) Bilayer LB film of DSPC. (E) Molecular structure of DSPC. (F) Structural formula of DSPC, where the choline and phosphate group constitute the hydrophilic head group. The twin saturated alkyl tails, connected to the polar head group through the glycerol backbone, constitute the hydrophobic tails.