Effect of liquid crystalline phase on membrane emulsification process

Abstract

The influence of a phase state and mechanical properties of liquid crystals on SPG membrane emulsification process was investigated in order to clarify a cause of emulsification trouble that occurs in specific liquid crystals. The results showed that the rotational viscosity and the surface tension of liquid crystals did not have significant effects on the trouble. On the other hand, the emulsification condition was improved by the decrease of the orientation order of the liquid crystal. Therefore, we have considered that the anomalous viscosity due to molecular alignments in the membrane pore causes the emulsification trouble.