Chem. J. Chinese Universities ›› 2025, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (4): 20240528.doi: 10.7503/cjcu20240528

• Physical Chemistry • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Self-assembly and Rheological Properties of NN-diethanololeamide in Glycerol/Water Cosolvent

LI Jiaming, WANG Dan, FENG Yujun, YIN Hongyao()   

  1. Polymer Research Institute,State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering,Sichuan University,Chengdu 610065,China
  • Received:2024-12-02 Online:2025-04-10 Published:2025-01-16
  • Contact: YIN Hongyao E-mail:hyyin@scu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22172108)

Abstract:

The self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules is a crucial approach for the development of novel materials. Previous studies have primarily focused on room and above room temperatures, while limited attention has been given to self-assembly at sub-zero temperatures. In this study, the solubility, freezing point, assembly behavior, and rheological properties of the non-ionic surfactant NN-diethanololeamide in glycerol/water mixed solvent were investigated. The effects of solvent composition, NN-diethanololeamide concentration, and temperature on assembly behavior and rheological properties were examined. It is observed that NN-diethanololeamide can form lamellar micelles and lamellar liquid crystals in the glycerol/water mixed solvent, thereby imparting favorable rheological properties to the system. A higher proportion of glycerol in the mixed solvent inhibits the formation of lamellar liquid crystals. Moreover, increasing the concentration of NN-diethanololeamide promotes the generation of lamellar liquid crystals. By dissolving 6.0%(mass ratio) NN-diethanololeamide in a glycerol/water(50/50, volume ratio) mixed solvent, it is possible to lower the freezing point of the system to ‒33.4 ℃. Interestingly, decreasing temperature enhances the self-assembly capability and improves rheological properties, and within this system as lower temperatures facilitate easier formation of lamellar liquid crystals.

Key words: Amphiphilic molecule, Self-assembly, Sub-zero temperature, Lyotropic liquid crystal

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