Lyotropic Liquid Crystals

Abstract This book on Lyotropic Liquid Crystals covers the current state of the art of materials forming liquid crystals as a function of concentration in an isotropic solvent. After a short introduction to liquid crystals in general, we discuss the basic aspects of phase transitions, Onsager’s theory, and the Landau–de Gennes approach. Phase diagrams are introduced, together with a range of experimental techniques to determine the latter, such as polarizing microscopy, calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and neutron scattering. Computer simulation approaches are discussed to demonstrate current possibilities as well as limitations in the prediction of lyotropic phases, transitions, and properties. Lyotropic phases have been described for an ever-growing range of materials, of which we first discuss the standard amphiphilic and surfactant molecules, chromonics, and also chiral materials. Much of the book is dedicated to colloidal lyotropics, starting with mineral liquid crystals and clays, followed by biological and living lyotropics, then nanorod, nanotube, nanowire, and nanosheet systems. We terminate our excursion into the world of lyotropic liquid crystals by discussing some of their (potential) applications in the food and cosmetics industries, in sensors, medical applications, and, as fibres, as chemical nanoreactors and in future applications of nanotechnology.