Path-Dependent Preparation of Complex Micelle Packings of a Hydrated Diblock Oligomer

Small-angle X-ray scattering analyses reveal that the hydrated diblock oligomer n-C16H23(OCH2CH2)20-OH (C16E20 or Brij 58) forms lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) exhibiting face-centered cubic (FCC), body-centered cubic (BCC), Frank-Kasper (FK) A15, and cylindrical (HI) morphologies over the concentration range 30-65 wt % amphiphile. Heating LLCs comprising 54-59 wt % C16E20 drives the temperature-dependent phase transition sequence: A15 → BCC →...