Factors Governing the Stability of Micellar Nematic Phases

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Abstract
The factors which govern the stability of lyotropic micellar nematic phases are delineated and then used to design mesogens which give rise to stable NC and ND phases on dissolution in water. The relationship between phase behaviour and the size and shape of the micelles in the caesium pentadecafluoroctanate/water system is examined. Small discoid micelles are shown to be stable at high concentrations due to the presence of a net attractive force. It is argued that this is the reason why the nematic phase in this system is stable over an exceptionally wide range of concentration.