Micelle size and order in lyotropic nematic phases from nuclear spin relaxation

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation of quadrupolar nuclei is introduced as a new method for determining micelle size and nematic order in lyotropic nematic mesophases from the dependence of the spin relaxation rates on molecular diffusion over the curved micelle surface. The approach is illustrated by an experimental study of two uniaxial nematic phases (the calamitic NC and discotic ND phases of the sodium dodecyl sulphate/decanol/water system) using two nuclei: 2H in the α‐deuterated surfactant and 23Na in the counterions. The two nuclei yield similar results: an apparently temperature independent axial ratio of 3–4 in both phases and a nematic order parameter which decreases from ca. 0.9 (0.75) at the lowest temperature to ca. 0.6 (0.5) at the highest temperature in the NC (ND) phase. As compared to the predictions of the Maier–Saupe theory, the nematic order parameter in the NC phase is considerably larger and decreases more strongly as the nematic–isotropic transition is approached.