Effect of hybrid tails structures containing POE and mesogen units on phase behavior of lamellar liquid crystals in water

Abstract

Amphiphiles having thermotropic mesogen and oxyethylene units in the hydrophobic di-chain were synthesized and examined on their liquid crystal formation in water. After preparation of a fresh mixture of amphiphiles and water, gradual generation and then drastic breakdown of the lamellar liquid crystal textures were observed with elapsing time. As the behavior was found to occur without any change in layer spacing of the lamellar liquid crystals, the dynamic liquid crystal behavior was expected to result from time-inducing phase transition from lamellar to a sponge phase.