Selected X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry measurements on nonaqueous liquid crystals and gel phases in the K-myristinate/glycerol binary system

Samples from the three selected concentrations x _KC14 = 0.25,0.37, and 0.50 of the K-myristinate/glycerol (KC₁₄/Gl) binary system have been investigated by means of small- and wide-angle X-ray diffraction measurements as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements as a function of temperature. The results are – The G₁ gel phase, contained in the preliminary phase diagram according to Dörfler and Senst (1993) Colloid Polym Sci 271: 173], is nonexistent. – The same applies of the isotropic phase in the preliminary phase diagram according to Dörfler and Senst. Initially an isotropic or a cubic phase was assumed based on polarized microscopy texture observations. X-ray diffraction and DSC measurements provided no indication for their existence. – Due to the nonexistence of the G₁ and isotropic phases the preliminary phase diagram of the KC₁₄/Gl binary system had to be corrected. The region of the lamellar phase extends over a wider region. – X-ray diffraction and DSC measurements provided concordant results, which were further confirmed by electron microscopic investigation. Differences in phase-transition points from DSC data obtained for rising and falling temperatures have been observed. – The crystalline-to-gel phase transition correlates with a sharp shift in the d value of the first small-angle reflex. – The gel phase is accompanied by a distinct splitting of the first small-angle reflexes. The wide-angle reflexes show rearrangement and reduced intensity. – Similar to the crystalline-to-gel phase transition, the gel-to-lamellar phase transition is accompanied by a sharp change in the d values.