3D structure of lamellar domains in a surfactant solution below the Krafft temperature.
We have studied the 3D structure of lamellar domains in aqueous solutions of nonionic surfactant C(16)E(6) and C(16)E(7) below the Krafft temperature by means of confocal microscopy. A new morphology of lamellar domains has been found in the C(16)E(6) system, which is the network of lamellar domains. In the C(16)E(7) system, we have confirmed that the spherical vesicles have a hollow including excess water. Furthermore, we have investigated the initial formation process of lamellar domains in those two systems. It has been found that initial lamellar domains of both systems are tiny and plate-like and that the domains are gradually curved in the C(16)E(7) system, while in the C(16)E(6) system, they spread to fuse together and form networks.
Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan. youheik@tmu.ac.jp
Youhei
Y
Kawabata
Hirohito
H
Yashima
Tadashi
T
Kato