Interfaces modify the undulation spectrum of bicontinuous microemulsions

Abstract

Abstract. Recently, the structure and dynamics of microemulsions adjacent to a planar hydrophilic wall have been characterized using grazing incidence small angle neutron scattering (GISANS) and grazing incidence neutron spin echo (GINSES) spectroscopy, respectively. It has been found that a bicontinuous microemulsion develops a lamellar structure, and that the relaxation rate is faster for a membrane close to the interface compared to the bulk. A model developed by Seifert was employed to explain the discovered acceleration for the near-surface lamellar ordered membranes. In this contribution we present how confinement of a flat interface influences the elastic properties of surfactant membranes and discuss the effect of locally introduced flat interfaces by clay platelets. This analysis sheds light onto the undulation mode spectrum of the surfactant membrane.

Confined microemulsions: pore diameter induced change of the phase behavior

“…[30][31][32] However, in these applications, understanding the bulk phase behavior can only serve as a base for understanding the actual processes in the system, because the connement of the microemulsion by an interface must be considered. The interaction of a nonionic surfactant microemulsion with a at surface has been studied in many works, [33][34][35][36] including simulations, 37 investigations under shear stress, 38 and at highpressure conditions. 39 In the case of bicontinuous microemulsions, the main difference between the interface and the bulk structure is the planar geometry near an interface, which becomes sponge-like when the distance to the interface increases.…”