A small-angle neutron scattering study of 2-butoxyethanol/D2O solutions

Abstract

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements have been performed in heavy water solutions of 2-butoxyethanol as a function of concentration and temperature. The results indicate that there exist some alcohol aggregation above a narrow concentration range (x=0.015–0.02, where x is the alcohol molar fraction) and the size of the aggregates increases with temperature taking a maximum value at a composition close to the critical concentration. The analysis of the size and of the absolute scattered intensity at q=0(I0) in terms of a microscopic model of aggregation, as well as the indications from other experiments, suggest that these aggregates are micelle-like structures.