Lyotropic liquid crystalline phases in a ternary system of 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride/1-decanol/water

Lyotropic liquid crystals formed in a ternary system of 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C16mim]Cl), 1-decanol, and water at 25 °C are reported. The hexagonal and lamellar phases were characterized by small angle X-ray scattering and polarizing optical microscopy. In the phase diagram, the system shows two isotropic liquid phases, a hexagonal phase connected to the [C16mim]Cl–water axis, and a lamellar phase in the center. The formation of liquid crystalline phases is believed to arise from a hydrogen-bonded network comprised of an imidazolium ring, anion, 1-decanol, and water. In the liquid crystal, the intercalation of 1-decanol between neighboring [C16mim]Cl molecules favors the appearance of lamellar phases. The phase behavior of the present system is discussed in comparison with a similar ternary system of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB).

Graphical abstractHexagonal and lamellar lyotropic liquid crystals for 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride with 1-decanol and water could be formed by H-bond network.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide