Liquid crystal and solution phases of sodium dodecyl-p-benzene sulphonate (NaLAS) and octa-oxyethylene glycol hexadecyl ether (C16E8): 1 : 1 mixtures in water

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Abstract

The liquid crystals and other phases formed when the mixed surfactant system sodium dodecyl-p-benzene sulphonate (NaLAS) and octa-oxyethylene glycol hexadecyl ether (C16E8, 1:1 by weight) is dispersed in water have been investigated using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. Despite the fact that neat LAS is a multi-phase solid and C16E8 is a crystalline solid, when the two are mixed at temperatures above the melting temperature of the C16E8 with no water present, what appears to be a metastable gel phase formed containing only a small volume fraction of un-dissolved LAS (ca. 5%). Moreover, when water is added to the system, the phase behaviour of the mixture considerably differs to that of either of the individual components. We report a detailed phase study on this mixture here particularly focussing on the 'neat' mixture. The phase behaviour when water is added is also discussed. Particularly interesting is the presence of a micellar phase between the hexagonal and lamellar phases thought to be due to weak interactions between micelles during the transition from rods to discs. In addition, the presence of a low temperature intermediate phase is discussed.

Keyword(s)

LAMELLAR PHASES; MICROSCOPY; SURFACTANT; SYSTEM; dissolution; liquid crystal; mixed anionic non-ionic; surfactant

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