Eur. Phys. J. E 5, 391-402 (2001)
Shear-induced ordering of lamellar and gyroid structures observed in a nonionic surfactant/water system
M. Imai1, K. Nakaya1 and T. Kato1, 21 Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Ochanomizu University, Bunkyo, Tokyo 112-0012, Japan
2 Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
imai@phys.ocha.ac.jp
(Received 26 June 2000 and Received in final form 12 January 2001 )
Abstract
The shear-induced ordering of lamellar and gyroid structures of a nonionic surfactant
C16E7/D2O system in a Couette shear cell (
s-1,
: shear rate) has been
investigated by using a small angle neutron scattering technique. In the lamellar
phase, the steady shear flow having
s-1 suppresses undulation fluctuations of
lamellae (Maxwell effect). This suppression of fluctuations brings two effects; 1) shear-induced lamellae ordering toward
a parallel orientation and 2) obstruction of a
lamellar
gyroid transition. It is quite interesting to note that there is a characteristic
shear rate range (
s-1), where both effects take place. We have also
investigated the shear effects on the gyroid phase. Below the characteristic shear rate
range, the gyroid structure keeps three-dimensional network lattice, while above the
characteristic shear rate range, the gyroid structure transforms to the parallel orientation
lamellae (shear-induced gyroid-lamellar transition). Thus the shear flow having the
characteristic shear rate plays very important roles in shear ordering phenomena.
83.50.Ax - Steady shear flows, viscometric flow.
68.55.Jk - Structure and morphology; thickness; crystalline orientation and texture.
64.70.Md - Transitions in liquid crystals.
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag 2001