Solubilization of aluminum and calcium nitrates into WO microemulsions and lyotropic liquid crystals stabilized by a nonionic surfactant.

The phase limits were determined for W/O microemulsions and the lamellar lyotropic liquid crystal in the system of cyclohexane/aqueous solutions of aluminum and calcium nitrates/commercial tetraethylenegly-coldodecylether. Visual observation, optical microscopy, and small-angle x-ray diffraction were used. The results showed an increase of the maximum amount of aqueous solution in the microemulsions with enhanced salt concentration as well as an enlargement of the area for the lamellar liquid crystal. The penetration of water into the surfactant layers of the liquid crystal was significantly increased after addition of salt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]