ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal

Unlocking the Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Phases of Novel Photosurfactants

Abstract: Photosurfactants (PS) demonstrate the combined ability to change their shape upon irradiation with light and self-organise into polymolecular assemblies. However, the phase behavior of PS is not well-established and there have been limited reports of their lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) phase formation. Here, we will undertake a strategic structure-activity study to identify the key structural features required to unlock the LLC phases of azobenzene PS. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) will allow us to directly observe the size and shape of PS aggregates as a function of increasing concentration, and thus observe how they grow and begin to assemble into LLC phases. The objectives of this study include to: (i) determine the effect of photoswitching on the polymolecular structures formed; (ii) track the self-assembly and growth of PS aggregates from isolated micelles to LLC phases.

Principal Investigator: Professor Rachel Evans
Local Contact: Dr Steve King
Experimenter: Dr Judith Houston
Experimenter: Mr Camille Blayo

DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB1610028

ISIS Experiment Number: RB1610028

Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Data format: RAW/Nexus
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Data Citation

The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher], [doi]

For Example:
Professor Rachel Evans et al; (2016): Unlocking the Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Phases of Novel Photosurfactants , STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB1610028

Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.