%0 Journal Article
%A Belushkin, M.
%A Gompper, G.
%T Twist grain boundaries in cubic surfactant phases
%J The journal of chemical physics
%V 130
%@ 0021-9606
%C Melville, NY
%I American Institute of Physics
%M PreJuSER-4228
%P 134712
%D 2009
%Z Record converted from VDB: 12.11.2012
%X Twist grain boundaries in bicontinuous cubic surfactant phases are studied by employing a Ginzburg-Landau model of ternary amphiphilic systems. Calculations are performed on a discrete real-space lattice with periodic boundary conditions for the lamellar L(alpha), gyroid G, diamond D, and the Schwarz P phases for various twist angles. An isosurface analysis of the scalar order parameter reveals the structure of the surfactant monolayer at the interfaces between the oil-rich and water-rich regions. The curvature distributions show that the grain boundaries are minimal surfaces. The interfacial free energy per unit area is determined as a function of the twist angle for the G, D, P, and lamellar phases using two complementary approaches: the Ginzburg-Landau free-energy functional and a geometrical approach based on the curvature energy of a monolayer. For the L(alpha), G, and D phases the interfacial free energy per unit area is very small, has the same order of magnitude, and exhibits a nonmonotonic dependence on the twist angle. The P phase is found to be unstable with respect to the nucleation of grain boundaries.
%K J (WoSType)
%F PUB:(DE-HGF)16
%9 Journal Article
%$ pmid:19355769
%U <Go to ISI:>//WOS:000265053200060
%R 10.1063/1.3096987
%U https://juser.fz-juelich.de/record/4228