Structure of the ‘K’ phase in ternary mixtures of potassium decanoate/octanol/water, as determined by X-ray diffraction, polarising microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

The ‘K’ mesophase region in the system potassium decanoate/octanol/water has been investigated using optical microscopy, low-angle X-ray diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The phases formed below 300 K are lamellar and crystalline surfactant, while above 300 K an additional reversed hexagonal phase occurs. There is no evidence for the occurrence of a novel ‘K’ structure.