Mesomorphic Phase Structure in the Potassium Oleate + Water System

Polarization microscopy, low-angle X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy have been used to examine the lyotropic mesomorphic phases which occur at room temperature in the potassium oleate + water system. Low-angle X-ray diffraction has confirmed the occurrence of neat, complex hexagonal, rectangular and middle mesomorphic phases, with increasing water content in the system at 22°C (295 K). Direct visual confirmation of the structures of these different mesomorphic phases has been obtained by transmission electron microscopy using the specimen preparative technique of osmium tetroxide fixation, followed by thin sectioning.