Eur. Phys. J. E 4, 223-232
Swelling kinetics of the onion phase
H. Diamant1, 2, 3 and M.E. Cates21 School of Physics & Astronomy, Raymond & Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
2 Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JZ, UK
3 The James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, 5640 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
diamant@control.uchicago.edu
(Received 6 September 2000)
Abstract
A theory is presented for the behavior of an array of
multi-lamellar vesicles (the onion phase) upon addition of
solvent. A unique feature of this system is the possibility to
sustain pressure gradients by tension in the lamellae. Tension
enables the onions to remain stable beyond the unbinding point of
a flat lamellar stack. The model accounts for various
concentration profiles and interfaces developing in the onion as
it swells. In particular, densely packed "onion cores"are shown
to appear, as observed in experiments. The formation of interfaces
and onion cores may represent an unusual example of stabilization
of curved interfaces in confined geometry.
83.70.Hq - Heterogeneous liquids: suspensions, dispersions, emulsions, pastes, slurries, foams, block copolymers, etc..
87.16.Dg - Membranes, bilayers, and vesicles.
82.65.Dp - Thermodynamics of surfaces and interfaces.
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag 2001
