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research papers
Time-resolved light-scattering studies have been undertaken to elucidate the dynamics of phase dissolution in aqueous HPC (hydroxypropylcellulose) liquid-crystalline solutions. HPC solutions phase separate during heating, but return to a single phase upon cooling. A temperature versus composition phase diagram has been established on the basis of cloud point measurements. The behavior of phase separation resembles a lower critical solution temperature, but there is a discontinuity in the curve without a clear minimum or critical point. In the temperature quench experiments the scattering peak decays with time but its position remains stationary, which is in good accord with the linear theory. The kinetic behavior of phase dissolution of 10 wt% aqueous HPC solutions has been quantitatively analyzed in the context of the linear theory.