Effect of the covalently linked fatty acid 18-MEA on the nanotribology of hair's outermost surface

Highly ordered lipids adsorbed or grafted Oil Surfaces are known to provide protection and lubrication custom engineered surfaces. of a variety of human hairs with the aim of both understanding the role of 18-methyleicosanoic acid (18-MEA) an unusual branched-chain fatty acid covalently bound to the cuticle surface, and investigating how treatments or the ethnic origin affect this layer. Results show that an unmodified silicon nitride AFM tip is able to detect changes Lit the hair surface that can be related to the absence or presence of this layer due to treatment conditions and in particular that this monolayer has a lubricant effect. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.