Interplay between domain microstructure and nematic order in liquid crystalline/isotropic block copolymers

The domain microstructure and the nematic LC mesophase in a series of side-chain liquid crystalline/isotropic (LC/I) diblock copolymers with systematically varied block volume fractions were studied in a broad temperature range (25–170 °C) by DSC, polarized microscopy, and wide and small angle X-ray scattering. At all temperatures the block copolymers are microphase separated. The PSLC block copolymers exhibit order at two length-scales: on one hand, a nematic LC mesophase with characteristic length-scale of 0.43 nm (intermesogen distance); on the other hand, lamellar, hexagonal or cubic domain microstructures with characteristic length-scales of 27–44 nm (lattice parameter). The LC block was either located in the matrix or confined inside the microdomains. The thermotropic behavior is characterized by the sequence g/~35 °C/n/~115 °C/i and is not affected by the domain microstructure and/or dimensions. Analysis of the lamellar dimensions showed that the LC chain is stretched. With increasing temperature, a thermal expansion of both blocks takes place followed by a retraction of the LC chain above T_NI. The phase diagram is asymmetric and does not alter above T_NI. No order-to-order transitions triggered by the nematic-isotropic transition are observed. It was shown that domain microstructures of low interfacial curvature (lamellar and hexagonal) are energetically favored over the geometrically expected ones of high interfacial curvature (micellar cubic) due to the presence of nematic LC mesophase in the matrix or in the microdomains. By comparison to theory a Kuhn segment length of the LC block b_LC=0.86 nm was derived from the location of the lamellar/hexagonal phase boundaries.This paper is dedicated to Prof. Fischer on the occasion of his 75th birthday.     

Phase diagrams of surfactant/water/synthetic perfume ternary systems

The phase diagrams of hexadecyl polyoxyethylene ether (C₁₆POE₁₀)/water/synthetic perfume, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)/water/synthetic perfume ternary systems were prepared. The synthetic perfumes used are, d-limonene, -hexylcinnamaldehyde, -ionone, benzyl acetate, linalool, and eugenol. In a series of C₁₆POE₁₀/water/synthetic perfume ternary systems, as the hydrophilicity of synthetic perfume increases, the regions of normal and inverse micellar solution phases were found to be extended, while that of the lamellar liquid crystal phase was reduced. Moreover, every region of normal micellar solutions, inverse micellar solutions, and lamellar liquid crystal phases in SDS/water/synthetic perfume ternary systems was found to be smaller than those in C₁₆POE₁₀/water/synthetic perfume systems.     

Interfacial molecular array behaviors of mixed surfactant systems based on sodium laurylglutamate and the effect on the foam properties

The foam properties of mixtures of an eco-friendly amino-acid derived surfactant sodium lauroylglutamate (LGS) interacting with cationic surfactant dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB), nonionic surfactant laurel alkanolamide (LAA) and anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS), were investigated, respectively. It was amazing that the three investigated binary-mixed systems all showed obviously synergism effect on foaming, though LGS/DTAB catanionic mixture showed remarkable synergistic effect with no surprise. The equilibrium and dynamic surface activity, along with the interfacial molecular array behaviors of binary-mixed systems with different molar ratios at air/water surface were also studied. Moreover, the theoretical simulation was employed to investigate how the interfacial behaviors of surfactants at air/water surface affected the foam properties. The study might provide the meaningful guidance for utilizing the LGS-based systems, especially in constructing eco-friendly foam systems in the application areas of cosmetics, medicine and detergent.     

Physicochemical investigations of anionic–nonionic mixed surfactant microemulsions in nonaqueous polar solvents: I. Phase behavior

Phase behaviors of AOT/heptane (Hp)/formamide (FA), ethylene glycol (EG), propylene glycol (PG), triethylene glycol (TEG) and glycerol (GLY) have been investigated in the absence and presence of a nonionic surfactant, polyoxyethylene(2) cetyl ether (Brij-52) at 303 K. The phase characteristics of (AOT+Brij-52)/Hp/(EG or PG or TEG) have been found to be different from that of AOT/Hp/FA systems in respect of both the area of monophasic domain and the appearance of other mesophases. The area of monophasic domain of (AOT+Brij-52)/Hp/EG depends on the content of Brij-52 (X _Brij-52) and shows a maximum at X _Brij-52=0.4. A negligible effect on the area of the monophasic domain has been shown by more hydrophobic surfactants, polyoxyethylene(2) stearyl ether (Brij-72) and polyoxyethylene(2) oleyl ether (Brij-92). The effect of oils (dodecane and hexadecane) on the mixed systems stabilized by (AOT+Brij-52) in EG has been investigated. The area of monophasic domain has been found to be dependent on the type of nonaqueous solvents and follows the order GLY>EG>PG>TG. A systematic investigation on the measurement of phase volumes of mixed surfactant systems [AOT+nonionic surfactant(s)] stabilized in oils of different chain lengths (heptane, dodecane and hexadecane) and polar solvent (EG) has been carried out at different compositions of the ingredients to identify the phase transitions of these systems as a function of X _Brij-52. The threshold point of phase transition (both W I→W IV and W IV→W II transitions) has been found to be a function of the configuration of added nonionic surfactant, nature of the polar solvent and oil. The conversion of the initial oil/EG droplets into EG/oil droplets with increasing X _nonionic has been facilitated for hydrophobic surfactants polyoxyethylene(4) lauryl ether (Brij-30), Brij-52, and Brij-72 in comparison to the hydrophilic surfactants polyoxyethylene(10) cetyl ether (Brij-56) and polyoxyethylene(20) cetyl ether (Brij-58).     

Solubilization of oil in a mixed cationic liquid crystal

The mixing fraction of didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) in dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide + DDAB to produce a lamellar liquid crystal (L _α) abruptly decreases upon addition of a small amount of m-xylene, whereas the mixing fraction becomes constant at high m-xylene content. Similar results were obtained in saturated hydrocarbon systems. It is considered that oil molecules in the surfactant palisade layer increases the effective cross-sectional area per surfactant head group, a_s, whereas a_s is constant if the oil molecules are solubilized in the core of the liquid crystal. The volume fraction of penetrating oil in the total solubilized oil is defined as a penetration parameter, Pe, which is calculated from small-angle X-ray scattering data. Pe is high in the m-xylene system, whereas it is low in the n-decane system. Even in the same oil system, Pe decreases dramatically with increasing solubilization. Hence, most of the oil added penetrates into a palisade layer at an early stage of oil addition. This causes a change in the mixing fraction of surfactant in the L _α phase. Thereafter the oil is solubilized in the core of the bilayer with further addition of oil. Received: 20 April 1998 Accepted: 16 July 1998     

Spontaneous Enantiomeric Resolution in a Fluid Smectic Phase of a Racemate

Right- and left-handed homochiral domains segregate in a fluid smectic phase of the racemic (R*,S*)-β-Me-TFMHPOBC analogue shown. This CF₃-containing liquid crystalline compound exhibits an electrooptic response in a homogeneous cell, although no macroscopic dipole is expected to exist. Moreover, the homeotropic cells of this material exhibit striped domains, which are associated with fine stripes having two opposite tilt senses with respect to the predominant stripes.     

Phase behaviors of Gemini cationic surfactants/n-butanol/water systems

Phase diagrams for ternary system of the Gemini cationic surfactants, N,N-long chain alkyl-2-hydroxyl-N,N,N,N-tetramethyl diammonium dichloride (G_nCl₂) with butanol and water have been drawn based on experimental data at 25 °C. The phase diagrams show that L phase and different liquid crystalline phases are existent in the ternary system at different components. Electric conductivity of the L phase has been studied. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), ²H (deuterium) quadrupolar splitting (²H NMR) and the polarizing-light microscope were employed to confirm the characteristic texture structures and the microstructure of three different liquid crystalline phases.     

Phase equilibria and surfactant behavior of fluorinated ionic liquids with water

This work studies the phase equilibria and surfactant behavior of fluorinated ionic liquids (FILs) containing fluorinated chains equal to four carbons with water. The knowledge about the phase behavior is crucial for the applications of these novel FILs with tuneable properties. The phase equilibria of the binary mixtures FILs with water were studied at atmospheric pressure in a temperature range from (298.15 to 353.15) K. In this study, FILs containing ammonium, pyrrolidinium and imidazolium cations and the perfluorobutanesulfonate anion were included. The Non-Random Two Liquid (NRTL) thermodynamic model was successfully applied to rationalize the phase behavior of the binary (water + FILs) mixtures. Furthermore, the critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) of these FILs, which present cations and/or anions with surfactant properties were also performed at T = 298.15 K by measurements of the ionic conductivity. Finally, the Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) was used with aim to determinate the size of the aggregates of these FILs in water.     

Formation of water-in-oil (W/O) nano-emulsions in a water/mixed non-ionic surfactant/oil systems prepared by a low-energy emulsification method

W/O nano-emulsion formation by a low-energy emulsification method is described for the first time. The nano-emulsions have been formed in water/mixed Cremophor EL:Cremophor WO7 surfactant/isopropyl myristate systems at Cremophor EL:Cremophor WO7 ratios between 1:2 and 1:9, by slow addition of isopropyl myristate to surfactant/water mixtures. Phase behaviour studies have showed that the compositions giving rise to W/O nano-emulsions belong to multiphase regions, one of the phases being a lamellar liquid crystalline phase. The droplet size of the nano-emulsions at a fixed oil concentration of 85% and mixed surfactants/water ratio of 70/30 ranged from 60 to 160 nm as Cremophor EL:Cremophor WO7 ratio increased from 1:8 to 1:2. These nano-emulsions showed high kinetic stability. No phase separation was observed during 5 months in nano-emulsions of the water/Cremophor EL:Cremophor WO7 1:8/isopropyl myristate system with 85% oil concentration, although droplet size experienced an increase with time.     

有机环四硅氧烷液晶的合成及其相变行为

两种环四硅氧烷分别和６种液晶基元化合物（Ｍ１－６）反应，合成了６种仅含１个介晶侧基的环四硅氧烷（１－６）。它们的化学结构已由＾１ＨＮＭＲ、ＩＲ和元素分析证实，借助ＤＳＣ和偏光显微镜观察研究了１２个化合物的相变行为。     

Effect of chain length distribution on the phase behavior of polyglycerol fatty acid ester in water

The effect of the chain length distribution on the phase behavior, the structure of liquid crystals, and physicochemical properties was investigated in water/ polyglycerol fatty acid ester. Polyglycerol fatty acid esters with sharply distributed polyglycerol (10G*0.7L) and with broadly distributed polyglycerol (10G0.7L) were used. Unreacted polyglycerol in both surfactants was removed. 10G*0.7L forms hexagonal liquid crystals at a higher concentration than 10G0.7L. The effective cross-sectional area of the lipophilic parts in the hexagonal phase of 10G0.7L is smaller than that of 10G*0.7L owing to the difference in the chain length distribution. Evidently, 10G0.7L molecules are tightly packed in aggregates; therefore, 10G0.7L decreased the surface tension more strongly and promoted emulsification. Received: 11 January 2000 Accepted: 8 March 2000     

Phase Transfer Catalysis in the Polycondensation Processes. XXV. The Relationship Between Structure and Supramolecular Ordering of Some Aromatic Polyethers Containing Flexible Spacer

Abstract

The paper presents a study concerning the influence of the chemical structure on the supramolecular ordering [crystalline, liquid crystalline (LC), or amorphous] of some aromatic polyethers. The polymers were synthesized using a phase transfer catalysis technique, in a liquid/liquid system, starting from 1,4‐dichlorobutane or 1,5‐dichloropentane and various bisphenols, as follows: 4,4′‐dihydroxyazobenzene (DHAB), 4,4′‐dihydroxydiphenyl (DHD), bisphenol A (BPA), and 2,7‐dihydroxynaphtyl (DN). All polymers were characterized by using ¹H‐NMR, DSC, and optical microscopy in polarized light. Some samples containing azobenzene moieties showed LC properties, but the majority of them resulted as semi‐crystalline compounds. If a bent bisphenol was used (BPA) to obtain homopolymers or copolymers, only amorphous products were obtained. The low thermal stability of the LC products generated some difficulties regarding the characterization of the mesophase. Generally, the copolymerization reaction influenced only the crystalline melting points, the isotropization temperature of the LC polymers being situated near their thermal degradation limit.     

Progress in nuclear magnetic resonance studies of surfactant systems

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), as a powerful technology, is widely used to characterize the physicochemical properties of surfactants in solution. As a sensitive technique to molecular environment, NMR is beyond the reach of other spectral methods in surfactant systems. Recent years, intensive investigations of surfactants by NMR were reported but not well summarized; therefore, we highlight these significant progresses, which may shed light on the challenges to understand their behavior and mechanisms in surfactant systems. The theory of various NMR methods was introduced, including chemical shifts, diffusion, relaxation, 2D nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy and rotating frame nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy. The behavior, interaction, and mechanisms among surfactants and other molecules from NMR technologies were discussed. Challenges to understand the behavior and mechanisms in surfactant systems and instrumentation limits are addressed as perspectives.     

Phase separation and rheological behavior in thermoplastic modified epoxy systems

The relationship between rheological behavior and phase separation in polyesterimide modified epoxy systems was studied by rheometry, time-resolved light scattering (TRLS), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The rheological behaviors of blends during phase separation showed an exponential grow of complex viscosity, while the phase separation was inhibited by the vitrification of the polyesterimide-rich matrix phase rather than gelation of dispersed epoxy-rich particles. The characteristic relaxation time obtained by the simulation of complex viscosity could be described well by the Williams–Landel–Ferry equation, which corresponded well with the light scattering results. Therefore, this work would further provide the experimental proofs that the exponential relaxation behavior of complex viscosity could be attributed to the viscoelastic flow of epoxy-rich escaping from polyesterimide-rich matrix during phase separation.     

Phase diagrams and phase structures of identical and mixed chain lithium di-n-alkyl phosphate-water binary systems. Asymmetric molecular shape effect

Lithium salts of di-n-pentyl (DPP),n-butyl(n-hexyl) (BHP),n-propyl(n-hexyl) (PHP) and ethyl(n-octyl) (EOP) phosphates were synthesized and the phase diagrams of the lithium phosphate-water binary systems were determined. The phase diagrams of the DPP-, BHP- and PHP-water systems contain three regions (I, II and III) in common, which correspond to a homogeneous transparent one-phase solution, and lyotropic liquid crystalline and coagel phases, respectively. However, the EOP-H₂O system contains an additional hard gel phase (region IV). ³¹P NMR spectra suggest that region I is a monomermicelle equilibrium phase and region II is a lamellar phase. X-ray diffraction results show that for the DPP-, BHP-and PHP-water systems the twon-alkyl chains are closely packed in the lamellar phase in a manner which alternatively combines short and long chains, while in EOP-water system the two long chains are loosely packed. Furthermore, it may be assumed from³¹P NMR spectra and x-ray diffraction results that region IV in the EOP-water system is a cubic phase.Thermotropic properties for these DAP-water systems were also investigated by DSC temperature profile curves. From the H variation upon the III thermal transition, we assumed that stability of the aggregate structure in the liquid crystalline state increases in the order EOP相似文献   

Highly viscoelastic reverse worm-like micelles formed in a lecithin/urea/oil system

While lecithin alone can form spherical or ellipsoidal reverse micelles in oil, we found that urea can promote the growth of lecithin reverse worm-like micelles in oil. In a mixed system of urea and lecithin, the urea binds to the phosphate group of lecithin, thus reducing the interface curvature of the molecular assembly and inducing the formation of reverse worm-like micelles. The regions in which these micelles form increased with lecithin concentration. In addition, the zero-shear viscosity (η ₀) of the reverse worm-like micelles rapidly increased upon the addition of urea, reaching a maximum of 2 million times the viscosity of n-decane. We examined the change in η ₀ in detail by performing dynamic viscoelasticity measurements. Values for η ₀ increased with urea concentration because the disentanglement time of reverse worm-like micelles increased with micellar growth.     

Design and synthesis of novel ionic liquid/liquid crystals (ILCs) with axial chirality

As the first examples of axially chiral ionic liquids, new pyridinium salts having a 1,3-dioxan ring in their central core were synthesized. Enantioselective dehydrohalogenation using chiral alkoxides provided a simple and practical approach for their synthesis. Some structures exhibit both low melting point and liquid crystalline behaviour.     

Monomeric and dimeric anionic surfactants: A comparative study of self-aggregation and mineralization

A study on the phase behavior and structure of the alkanolamine salts of the dimeric amphiphile 3,4-bis-dodecyloxycarbonyl-hexanedioic acid (GS-H) is presented for the first time. Data are compared to those of the corresponding monomeric surfactant (lauric acid, LA). The alkanolamine salts of GS-H show very low Krafft points (<0 °C) and form hexagonal liquid crystals at concentrations lower than its monomeric counterpart, indicating that aggregation is favored for dimeric surfactants. The minimum concentration for liquid crystal formation increases for bulky alkanolamines with a structure-disrupting effect, such as triethanolamine (TEA). However, the specific surface areas per molecule in the liquid crystals derived from small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) are similar for monoethanolamine (MEA) and TEA salts; the same can be said when comparing monomeric (LA) and dimeric (GS-H) salts. GS-H can also form hexagonal and lamellar liquid crystals with organic aminosilanes acting as reactive counterions, as revealed by solvent penetration experiments with polarized optical microscopy (POM). Consequently, mineralization with silica and alumina was carried out by a sol–gel method using GS-H as a possible structure-directing agent. Both silica and alumina samples possessed a lamellar structure, which disappears on calcination; however, calcined alumina has indeed a high surface area coming mainly from micropores. It was found that the surfactant/aminosilane ratio is critical for obtaining structured silica before calcination.     

Phase Equilibria in Systems of Water,Naphthenic Acids,and Phenols

A partial phase diagram has been determined for the system based on 5‐phenylvalerate, 4‐pentyphenol, and water at 25 °C. The system showed a very rich phase behavior in which many different isotropic solutions and liquid crystals were found. Both normal and reverse self‐assembly structures of the micellar and hexagonal types were noted. In the middle of the phase diagram, a lamellar liquid crystalline phase with a large swelling capacity was observed. When the aromatic alcohol was replaced by a long‐chain alcohol the reverse hexagonal structure disappeared. The effect of temperature and salinity on the phase behavior was also studied. Raising the temperature increased the micellar regions, while the lamellar phase was slightly reduced and the reverse hexagonal phase disappeared. Addition of salt gave the lamellar phase a smaller region of existence and the large extension towards the water apex disappeared. Introduction of an acid to the system resulted in a remarkable change of the phase behavior: both the normal micellar and lamellar regions were significantly reduced, while the reverse micellar region was significantly increased.     

Intrinsically Chiral Twist-Bend Nematogens: Interplay of Molecular and Structural Chirality in the NTB Phase

The front cover artwork is provided by Dr Rebecca Walker of the Liquid Crystals Group at the University of Aberdeen. The image is a cartoon depiction of the formation of the heliconical chiral twist-bend nematic phase (N*_TB) from its constituent bent molecules. The presence of a single enantiomer of the chiral, lactate-based liquid crystal dimers biases the formation of helices with only one handedness, unlike in the conventional N_TB phase, observed for achiral molecules, for which the left- and right-handed helices are doubly degenerate. Read the full text of the Research Article at 10.1002/cphc.202200807 .