Structural defects of a lamellar lyotropic mesophase : a neutron scattering study

P. Kekicheff , B. Cabane , M. Rawiso

Contrarily to previous expectations, the flat geometry is not the configuration of lowest free energy for the bilayers of SDS in the lamellar phase of SDS/water. Indeed, neutron scattering reveals an unusual pattern of diffuse scattering at small angles, in addition to the regular diffraction spots of a layered mesophase. The diffuse scattering away from the beam is produced by an array of structural defects, with a pseudo-period of 60 Å within one layer. The diffuse scattering around the beam is caused by textural defects, with dimensions larger than 200 Å.

Mots clés: free energy; liquid crystals; neutron diffraction examination of liquids; sodium dodecasulphate; lamellar lyotropic mesophase; neutron scattering; flat geometry; diffuse scattering; structural defects

Domaines: Articles anciens

P. Kekicheff, B. Cabane, M. Rawiso. Structural defects of a lamellar lyotropic mesophase : a neutron scattering study. Journal de Physique Lettres, 1984, 45 (16), pp.813-821. ⟨10.1051/jphyslet:019840045016081300⟩. ⟨jpa-00232416⟩