Phase Behavior and Polymerization of the Ternary Polymerizable Cationic Gemini Surfactant/Fatty Alcohol/Water System

We studied the phase behavior of a ternary polymerizable gemini surfactant (PC11-6-11)/1-undecanol/water system and stabilized these liquid crystalline structures through the polymerization of surfactants. The addition of 1-undecanol to a PC11-6-11/water system formed bicontinuous cubic (V1) and reversed hexagonal (H2) liquid crystal phases in addition to hexagonal (H1) and lamellar (Lα) phases, which were also formed using the binary system of PC11-6-11/water. These new phases were formed because the fatty alcohol penetrated the palisade layer of the PC11-6-11 micelles. The polymerization of PC11-6-11 with a thermal initiator successfully preserved the Lα and H2 phases. Layered or honeycomb structures of these liquid crystals were clearly observed by transmission electron microscopy. The nanomaterials have potential applications as membranes for nano- or microfiltration and catalyst support materials.