Nondestructive Characterization of a Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline System

In the present work, the characterization of a calamitic liquid crystal mixture-sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)/decanol/water-has been reported using ultrasonic velocity and absorption measurements as a function of temperature and concentration. The experimental tools used were, ultrasonic interferometry for the velocity and pulse-echo technique for the absorption measurements. The results are discussed in terms of the temperature and concentration dependent lyotropic liquid crystal formed in the material system.