The stability of binary alkane blends

Abstract

The phase behaviour of binary mixtures of normal alkanes, C_nH_2n+2–C₃₆D₇₄, for 20⩽n⩽34, was investigated by SAXS, SANS and DSC. The systems can be classified as forming solid solutions, metastable solid solutions leading to the formation of alternating lamellar (micro)phase structures, or eutectics. Microphase formation is more general than reported previously and can be induced by changing both the temperature of the system and chain-length difference. Current methods of classifying phase behaviour are shown to be problematic and an alternative is proposed.