Abstract
The shear-induced ordering of lamellar and gyroid structures of a nonionic surfactant C16E7/D2O system in a Couette shear cell (0.001 < γ̇ < 10 s-1, γ̇: shear rate) has been investigated by using a small angle neutron scattering technique. In the lamellar phase, the steady shear flow having γ̇ > 0.01 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 (0.01 < γ̇ < 0.3 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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 391-402 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | European Physical Journal E |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2001 Jul 1 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Science(all)
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)