PGSE-NMR & Sans from TPB Based Microemulsions

Abstract

Self-diffusion coefficients from pulsed-gradient spin-echo NMR are reported for four components of the tetradecylpyridinium bromide - 85% heptane/15% pentanol - water pseudoternary system. Measurements were taken throughout the inverted microemulsion region and also in a small isotropic region beyond the domain of lamellar liquid crystals. Observations of the self-diffusion coefficients for water relative to those of the surfactant, oil and alchohol show several distinct structural transitions within the water-in-oil region of the phase diagram. The smaller isotropic region exhibits a complete inversion of phase relative to the water-in-oil region. Conductivity measurements were used to further clarify the NMR data. Subsequent small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements on the same system show the transition from the single particle (heavy water + Stern layer droplet) scattering regime at low water concentration to the mixed single/interdroplet scattering regime when the intermicellar distance becomes comparable to the size of the micelles.