Phase behavior of undecane–tetradecane mixtures confined in SBA-15

Phase behavior of undecane–tetradecane (n-C11H24–C14H30, C11–C14) mixtures in bulk and confined in SBA-15 have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry. The bulk C11–C14 system shows multiple phase regions due to rotator phase. Confined in the pores of SBA-15 (pore diameters 3.8–7.8 nm), the mixtures only show a melting boundary of a straight line and a curve, respectively. In SBA-15 (17.2 nm), phase behavior of the mixtures has some similarity to that of the bulk. Under confinement, the phase diagrams of the mixtures vary with the pore size, temperature, and compositions.

Graphical abstractPhase behaviors of C11–C14 mixtures confined in SBA-15 (3.8, 7.8, and 17.2 nm) show dependence on pore size.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide