The distinction between chromonic and amphiphilic lyotropic mesophases

Abstract

Optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy have been used to examine whether the hexagonal phases of representative chromonic and amphiphilic mesogens are miscible. The systems studied were octaoxyethylene-glycol dodecylether with either disodium cromoglycate or 5-n-hexyl-7-(5-methyl-sulphonimidoyl) xanthone-2-carboxylic acid. The results clearly demonstrate that the hexagonal phases of these two systems are not miscible, although miscibility does occur in the isotropic solution. These observations suggest that chromonic mesophases are a new breed of lyotropic liquid crystals.