Lamellar liquid crystalline matrix

Employing x-ray methods, Flaim and Friberg (2 ) studied the conformation of C21-DA as the acid or monosoap in a lamellar liquid crystalline matrix. At low water concentrations, the conformations are the same (extended). At somewhat higher water... 

Although the so-called a-phase of the fatty alcohols—a thermotropic type smectic B liquid crystal with hexagonal arrangement of molecules within the double layers—is initially formed from the melt during the manufacturing process, it normally transforms into a crystalline modification as it cools. However, the crystallization of the gel matrix can be avoided if the ot-phase can be kept stable as it cools to room temperature. This can be achieved by combining appropriate surfactants such as myristyl or lauryl alcohol and cholesterol, a mixture of which forms a lamellar liquid crystal at room temperature. Due to depression of the melting point, the phase transition temperature of crystalline to liquid crystalline as well as liquid crystalline to isotropic decreases. Therefore, a liquid crystalline microstructure is obtained at room temperature. 

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