Pressure-induced phase transition in a ternary microemulsion system

Abstract

The effects of temperature and pressure on the structural formations in a ternary microemulsion system were reviewed. From the static measurement by means of a small angle x-ray and neutron scattering, similar phase transitions with increasing temperature or pressure were observed. Introducing a normalized temperature and pressure, the similarity and dissimilarity of those two phase transitions were clarified. From the dynamic measurement utilizing neutron spin echo, it was demonstrated that the membrane dynamics at the high-pressure phase were completely different from the high temperature phase. These differences suggest differing mechanisms for the pressure-induced phase transition and the temperature-induced transition.