An X-Ray Study of a Ternary Lyotropic Liquid Crystal

X-ray diffraction was used to study the structure of a ternary lyotropic mixture of 63 wt% potassium palmitate, 7 wt% potassium Iaurate and 30 wt% water in the temperature range 65°C to 12°C. In addition to the usual lyotropic phases common to soap-water systems, we have also found a rectangular phase which exists in the temperature range between 41°C and 35°C, confirming the identification of this phase by DMR. There is also some evidence for a different rectangular phase at temperatures below 35°C, as suggested by DMR data.