Structure and dynamic properties of a polymer-induced sponge phase

摘要

The effect of polyethyleneglycol (PEG) on the phase behaviour of oil-rich sodium dodecyl sulphate, hexanol, water and dodecane mixtures has been investigated. PEG causes the disappearance of the 'sponge' phase and induces the formation of a new isotropic phase, labelled L-5. located between the microemulsion, L-2, and the lamellar, L-alpha, phases. Small angle neutron scattering and electrical conductivity results show that at local scales the L-5 phase consists of inverted bilayers, connected at larger scales. These features suggest a sponge-like structure for the L-5 phase, a hypothesis which is further supported by a static and dynamic light scattering study. [References: 12]