Structural Characterization of Microemulsions in a Ternary System of Zn(oct-en)2Cl2 Complex/Benzene/Water

Microemulsions in a ternary system of bis( N- octylethylenediamine)zinc(II) chloride (Zn(oct-en) 2 Cl 2 )/benzene/water were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy, and the Fourier transform pulsed-gradient spin−echo NMR method. W/O microemulsion, sponge, and bicontinuous structures were observed to have formed in the ternary system. At the interface of the benzene and water domains in the bicontinuous structure, hydrocarbon chains of cisoid Zn(oct-en) 2 Cl 2 were arranged, maintaining a 6 Å separation. The diffusion coefficient of water decreased in the following order depending on the water domain size: sponge; bicontinuous; W/O microemulsion structures.