In order to study the viscoelastic properties of certain complex fluids which are described in terms of a multiconnected transient network we have developed a convenient model system composed of microemulsion droplets linked by telechelic polymers. The phase behavior of such systems has two characteristic features: a large monophasic region which consists of two sub-regions (a fluid sol phase and a viscoelastic gel phase) separated by a percolation line and a two phase region at low volume fraction with separation into a dilute sol phase and a concentrated gel phase. From the plausible origin of these features we expect them to be very similar in different systems. We describe here the phase behavior of four different systems we prepared in order to vary the time scale of the dynamical response of the transient network; they consist of the combination of two oil(decane) in water microemulsions differing by the stabilizing surfactant monolayer (Cetyl pyridinium chloride/ octanol or TX100/TX35) and of two telechelic polymers which are end-grafted poly (ethylene oxide) chains, differing by the end-grafted hydrophobic aliphatic chains (C 12 H 25 or C 18 H 37 ). We first summarize the characterization of the structure of the four systems by small angle neutron scattering: the size of the microemulsion droplets is found to be constant in a given system upon addition of a telechelic polymer.In the CPCl systems we find a mean radius of the microemulsion droplets = 62± 1Å and a very narrow size distribution and in the TX systems we find a mean radius = 84± 2Å and a somewhat larger size ____________________________________________________________________ 2 06/01 Paper "Robust phase behaviour..." Filali et al distribution. We can then calculate precisely the number of polymers per microemulsion droplet and compare the phase behavior of the four systems in consistent units. As expected we find very similar phase behavior in the four systems.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.