Shear rheology and phase behaviour of sodium oleate/water mixtures

Abstract

The knowledge of structural and dynamical properties in binary sodium oleate (NaO)/water mixtures represents a first step for studying new biocompatible structures. In addition, a deeper understanding of their flow behaviour is crucial to control their mechanical properties. The purpose of this investigation was to revisit the binary NaO/water phase diagram through a combined effort of shear-rheology, NMR-diffusometry, optical polarizing microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The preparation of NaO/water mixtures in this work fitted with the interesting regions of the phase diagrams where most of the new systems will be prepared (i.e. from 0.01 to 30 wt.% NaO and within the temperature range 5-70 °C).