Cylindrical intermediates in a shear-induced lamellar-to-vesicle transition

The mechanism and kinetics of a shear-induced formation of multi-lamellar v esicles in a lyotropic lamellar phase of C10E3 (Triethyleneglycol-decylethe r) was investigated by rheology and time-resolved small-angle neutron and l ight scattering: (SANS, SALS). Starting from a well-defined, macroscopicall y oriented lamellar phase, the transition occurs in two steps. First. there is a formation of an intermediate structure oriented in the flow direction which scatters only perpendicular to the flow. This is compatible with lon g, multi-lamellar cylinders (tubuli). Comparing results from three differen t shear rates shows that the formation of this intermediate structure is st rain controlled. As shear is continued, multilamellar resides are formed.