Phases and structures of sunset yellow and disodium cromoglycate mixtures in water

Phys Rev E. 2016 Jan;93(1):012704. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.93.012704. Epub 2016 Jan 12.

Abstract

We study phases and structures of mixtures of two representative chromonic liquid crystal materials, sunset yellow FCF (SSY) and disodium cromoglycate (DSCG), in water. A variety of combinations of isotropic, nematic (N), and columnar (also called M) phases are observed depending on their concentrations, and a phase diagram is made. We find a tendency for DSCG-rich regions to show higher-order phases while SSY-rich regions show lower-order ones. We observe uniform mesophases only when one of the materials is sparse in the N phases. Their miscibility in M phases is so low that essentially complete phase separation occurs. X-ray scattering and spectroscopy studies confirm that SSY and DSCG molecules do not mix when they form chromonic aggregates and neither do their aggregates when they form M phases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Azo Compounds / chemistry*
  • Cromolyn Sodium / chemistry*
  • Liquid Crystals / chemistry*
  • Microscopy
  • Molecular Structure
  • Phase Transition
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • Water / chemistry*
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Azo Compounds
  • Water
  • 6-hydroxy-5-((p- sulfophenyl)azo)-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid disodium salt
  • Cromolyn Sodium