Nano-Structural Analysis of a Lyotropic Liquid Crystal (TTAB + water + decanol ternary) System by Salt (NH₄Br) Addition

Abstract

TurkeyIn the present study, the ionic effect of salt addition to a lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) system was investigated. NH 4 Br salt was added to TTAB + water + decanol ternary system and the structural changes in lyotropic phases were characterized. First, phase transitions were illustrated by polarized microscope and secondary, small-angle xray scattering was used as an analytical method to determine the nano-structured mesophases of the newly prepared liquid crystal samples. The expected fibrous structures were characterized by the form factor of polydisperse oblate ellipsoids. The selfassembled networks related with these ellipsoids were also explained with hexagonal, distorted hexagonal, and lamellar formations.

Investigation of the Polymer Additive on the Lyotropic Lamellar Phase Formed by Surfactants with Different Head Groups

“…Thus, information about the type of phases formed, phase shifts and phase transitions can be obtained [34]. The ratio of diffraction peaks for the lamellar phase is given as 1:2:3 [23,[35][36]. Fig.…”

“…There are various studies in the literature on the examination of changes by adding alcohol, salt, or polymer to the lamellar phase. In the study conducted by Masalcı et al [23], NH4Br was added to the TTAB+decanol+water solution as salt to obtain the lamellar phase, and how the lamellar phase changed with the effect of salt was examined by POM and SAXS methods. In the study conducted by Ligoure et al [24], the salt effect was examined with the SAXS method by adding different concentrations of NaCl in the (cetylpyridinium chloride)/hexanol/brine triple system with and without PVP as a polymer.…”