Kinetics of Cosurfactant−Surfactant−Silicate Phase Behavior. 1. Short-Chain Alcohols

• Published in: The journal of physical chemistry. B Vol. 103; no. 29; pp. 5943 - 5948
• Main Authors: Ågren, Patrik, Lindén, Mika, Rosenholm, Jarl B, Schwarzenbacher, Robert, Kriechbaum, Manfred, Amenitsch, Heinz, Laggner, Peter, Blanchard, Juliette, Schüth, Ferdi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Chemical Society 22.07.1999
• ISSN: 1520-6106; 1520-5207
• DOI: 10.1021/jp984684x

The formation of hexagonal and lamellar surfactant−silicate mesophases at room temperature has been investigated by in situ synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering. Emphasis was given to the influence of butanol and hexanol on the surfactant−silicate phase behavior. The experimental setup included a continuous flow reactor allowing a resolution in time as high as 0.3 s. Depending on the reaction composition, one, two, or three coexisting phases were observed. The results are discussed in terms of time-dependent changes in the concentration of cosurfactant not incorporated into the composite aggregates. Although many of the observed effects are paralleled by well-known properties of aqueous surfactant solutions, important dissimilarities exist. Furthermore, the relative intensity of the high-order reflections are suggested to correspond to the degree of interaggregate condensation in the composite mesophase.