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Cholesteric order in aqueous solutions of the polysaccharide Xanthan

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Summary

Measurements of birefringence, optical rotation and laser light diffraction show that aqueous solutions of the polyelectrolytic polysaccharide Xanthan at a concentration of 7.5 % (vol/vol) have long range order very similar to cholesteric liquid crystals. The cholesteric screw is left handed implying a rod-like conformation and right handed helicity of individual molecules. The cholesteric phase separates from a less concentrated isotropic solution and spherolites are formed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hochfeld-Magnetlabor, Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung, 38042, Grenoble, France

    G. Maret

  2. Centre de Recherche sur les Macromolecules Végétales, Laboratoire Propre du CNRS Associé à l'Université Scientifique et Médicale de Grenoble, 38041, Grenoble, France

    M. Milas & M. Rinaudo

Authors
  1. G. Maret
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  2. M. Milas
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  3. M. Rinaudo
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Maret, G., Milas, M. & Rinaudo, M. Cholesteric order in aqueous solutions of the polysaccharide Xanthan. Polymer Bulletin 4, 291–297 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00255106

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00255106

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