Bulk and surface correlations in a microemulsion

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1995 · Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.52.R29· OSTI ID:69572

Lee, D D ^[1]; Chen, S H ^[2]; Majkrzak, C F; Satija, S K ^[3]

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1. Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 (United States)
2. Department of Nuclear Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 (United States)
3. Reactor Radiation Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899 (United States)

Small angle neutron scattering and neutron reflectivity are used to study the bulk and surface structure of water--octane--tetraethylene glycol monodecyl ether (C{sub 10}E{sub 4}) bicontinuous microemulsions. When the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the surfactant monolayers in the microemulsion are balanced, the surface correlation length is found to be significantly larger than its bulk analog. Varying the spontaneous curvature of the monolayers greatly influences the surface structure of the microemulsion while having a relatively slight effect on the bulk correlation function. These observations are explained using a Ginzburg-Landau theory.

• DOE Contract Number: FG02-90ER45429
• OSTI ID: 69572
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics, Vol. 52, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: Jul 1995
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
SURFACTANTS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
MICROEMULSIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
WATER
NEUTRON DIFFRACTION
SMALL ANGLE SCATTERING
GINZBURG-LANDAU THEORY