The Physics of Lyotropic Liquid Crystals: Phase Transitions and Structural Properties (Monographs on the Physics and Chemistry of Materials, 62)

figueiredo Neto And Salinas (physics, U. Of Sao Paulo) Note That Soaps Have Been With Us For Several Millennia, And That Their Use In Washing Is Directly Related To Fundamental Concepts In Self- Assembling And Ordering. As Surfactant Molecules, They Are Partly Water-soluble And Partly Oil-soluble. These Lyotropic Systems Are Excellent Examples Of Polymorphism And Phase Transformations, Depending On Their Temperature, Pressure, And Other Physico-chemical Parameters. The Authors Examine The Main Experimental Facts And Techniques Of Lyotropic Systems, Including Their Mesophases And Applications And The Basic Concepts Of Phase Transitions. They Examine Phase Diagrams Of Lyotropic Mixtures, Phase Transitions Between Periodically Organized Lytropic Phases, Isotropic Micellar And Bicontinuous Phases, Nematic And Cholesteric Phases, And The Lyotropic Phases In One To Three Dimensions. They Also Examine Recent Developments, Such As Microemulsions And Langmuir-blodgett Films. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, Or This book gives a comprehensive description of the physical properties of lyotropic liquid crystals. Structural features, phase transitions and phase diagrams are discussed in detail. The available experimental data on lyotropic mixtures is presented in the unifying context of the Landau theories. This phenomenological approach is used for establishing connections between structural properties and phase diagrams. The book is suitable for use as a pedagogical introduction to the subject. Lyotropic systems: Main experimental facts and techniques -- Basic concepts of phase transitions -- Phase diagrams of lyotropic mixtures -- Phase transitions between periodically organized lyotropic phases -- The isotropic micellar and bicontinuous phases -- The nematic and cholesteric phases -- The lyotropic one-, two- and three-dimensionally ordered phases -- Recent developments and related areas This title presents a comprehensive review of structural properties and phase transition phenomena in lyotropic mixtures. It includes a wealth of experimental results, in addition to the main theoretical models and a number of technological applications, such as cosmetics, detergents and techniques of oil recovery.