Lamellar System Research Articles

From disorder to order: A dynamic approach to mesophase formation in soft sphere model.

This study explores the dynamics of self-assembly and mesophase formation through molecular dynamics simulations of hexagonal and lamellar systems using a simplified coarse-grained model. We focus on characterizing the order-disorder transitions driven by temperature variations and emphasize the often overlooked disordered regime, which serves as a precursor to periodic mesoscale ordering. Our findings not only underscore the morphological richness of the disordered regime, comparable to that of its periodic counterparts, but also reveal the presence of clustering regimes within isotropic phases, thus corroborating prior experimental and theoretical observations. By employing the dynamic correlation coefficient, this work introduces a novel approach to understanding the fundamental mechanisms of mesophase formation, providing new insights into the complex dynamics of self-assembly.

Phase behavior and rheology of the sucrose laurate/sorbitan mono-laurate (Span 20)/water pseudo-ternary system

In order to develop a lamellar liquid crystal system consisting of temperature-insensitive and mild non-ionic surfactants, we construct the phase diagram of sucrose laurate (L1695)/sorbitan monolaurate (Span 20)/water pseudo-ternary systems at 25 ℃ based on the direct visual inspection and polarized microscopy. In contrast to the phase diagrams of polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers and co-surfactant mixtures reported in relevant studies, the single-phase region of the liquid crystalline phase in sucrose laurate (L1695)/sorbitan monolaurate (Span 20)/water pseudo-ternary systems is shown to be narrower. Moreover, the liquid crystal phase behaviors of the sucrose laurate/sorbitan mono-laurate (Span 20)/water pseudo-ternary systems are examined in depth applying cryo-SEM, X-ray scattering measurements, rheological test and low field NMR experiments. In the abovementioned aqueous systems with a L1695 to Span 20 mass ratio (between 53.9: 46.1 and 43.3:56.7), sucrose mono-laurate combines with a certain number of sorbitan monolaurate molecules to form a single lamellar liquid crystalline phase. Furthermore, the present experimental results as well as their analysis could give the quantitative playground for the interaction between sugar-based surfactants in aqueous system, which has rarely been investigated compared with the phase behavior of polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers in aqueous solution.

Unveiling mesoscopic structures in distorted lamellar phases through deep learning-based small angle neutron scattering analysis

HypothesisThe formation of distorted lamellar phases, distinguished by their arrangement of crumpled, stacked layers, is frequently accompanied by the disruption of long-range order, leading to the formation of interconnected network structures commonly observed in the sponge phase. Nevertheless, traditional scattering functions grounded in deterministic modeling fall short of fully representing these intricate structural characteristics. Our hypothesis posits that a deep learning method, in conjunction with the generalized leveled wave approach used for describing structural features of distorted lamellar phases, can quantitatively unveil the inherent spatial correlations within these phases. Experiments and SimulationsThis report outlines a novel strategy that integrates convolutional neural networks and variational autoencoders, supported by stochastically generated density fluctuations, into a regression analysis framework for extracting structural features of distorted lamellar phases from small angle neutron scattering data. To evaluate the efficacy of our proposed approach, we conducted computational accuracy assessments and applied it to the analysis of experimentally measured small angle neutron scattering spectra of AOT surfactant solutions, a frequently studied lamellar system. FindingsThe findings unambiguously demonstrate that deep learning provides a dependable and quantitative approach for investigating the morphology of wide variations of distorted lamellar phases. It is adaptable for deciphering structures from the lamellar to sponge phase including intermediate structures exhibiting fused topological features. This research highlights the effectiveness of deep learning methods in tackling complex issues in the field of soft matter structural analysis and beyond.

Revealing cellular reaction mechanisms and high-temperature structure stability in β-stabilized TiAl alloy

This study reveals that the cellular reaction (CR) is dominated by grain boundary (GB) migration mechanism controlled by element diffusion, during which the α2 → γ + βo phase transformation occurs. CR transforms supersaturated α2/γ lamellar system from metastable to equilibrium state via microstructure coarsening. Moreover, elements enrichment of Ti and Nb, Mo Ti, Nb and Mo occurs during CR, triggering the α2 → γ + βo phase transformation. Increasing the aging temperature accelerates the CR rate and extending the soaking time transforms more volume of α2/γ lamellae into pearlitic-like microstructure (PM). The PM exhibits almost negligible coarsening with the increase in aging temperature and extension of soaking time in the temperature between 950 and 1100 °C, indicating excellent thermal stability far beyond the service temperatures of TiAl intermetallics. Therefore, PM is a worthy pursuit in microstructural design for high-temperature application of TiAl alloy.

Experimental critical dynamics of 3-methyl pyridine/D2O mixtures without and with antagonistic salt

We observed criticality in the structure and dynamics of a three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) Ising system consisting of 3-methyl pyridine $\text{(3MP)}/{\mathrm{D}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ without and with antagonistic salt. We could describe both dynamic criticalities by the Kawasaki crossover function. The dynamic critical exponent was $z=0.063\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.020$ and $0.005\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.019$ for three and two dimensions, which confirms earlier observations in the 3D case and confirms expectations in the 2D case. The amplitudes of the critical dynamics are governed by the bare viscosities experimentally, and by the coefficient $R$ theoretically [the latter is proportional to ${(4\ensuremath{-}d)}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ with the dimensionality $d$]. This finding is in accordance with the lubrication effect [N. Gov, A. G. Zilman, and S. Safran, Phys. Rev. E 70, 011104 (2004)], which is also connected to lamellar systems of the Brazovskii criticality [M. Gvaramia et al., Colloid Polym. Sci. 297, 1507 (2019)]. This lubrication effect is tightly connected to a laminar flow enforced by the domain structure, and it also holds for our 2D Ising system. The experimental techniques employed were small-angle neutron and x-rays scattering for the static criticality, and dynamic light scattering and neutron spin echo spectroscopy for the critical dynamics. Furthermore, the criticality of the viscosities was measured.

Cutis Laxa and the Value of Rhytidectomy: 4 Patients and Years of Follow-Up.

The modalities of the esthetic treatment of cutis laxa (CL) patients have rarely been discussed. Here, the authors present 4 CL rhytidectomy cases. The surgery method was designed based on the traditional full-incision face-lift technique combined with lamellar superficial musculoaponeurotic system flap elevation and plication. Temporal, buccal, mandibular, and cervical regions were targeted. The shortest follow-up was 30 months, and the longest was 72. The results were assessed by subjective satisfaction and third-party photo evaluation. The subjective satisfaction was graded into worse than preoperation, no improvement, slight improvement, moderate improvement, and obvious improvement. The satisfaction rate was the sum of moderate and obvious improvement. Eighteen uncorrelated professionals participated in the third-party photo evaluation, in which the preoperative and follow-up photos were presented, and frontal, temporal, mid-face (including jowl), and cervical (including mandibular line) regions were evaluated as improved or nonimproved. The outcome of the subjective satisfaction was graded as no improvement (2/12, 16.7%), slight improvement (3/12, 25%), moderate improvement (4/12, 33.3%), and obvious improvement (3/12, 25%). The satisfaction rate was 58.3%, most investigators denied the frontal and temporal region improvement, 60% observed mid-face improvement, and 80% noticed cervical improvement. Most patients and their parents had positive attitudes towards the treatment results; however, the full expectation was not achieved. The cervical region maintained the best improvement after our treatment and the mid-face ranked second. This surgery method conduces to the esthetic requirement of CL patients; however, skin laxity remains a challenge.

Sublattice Magnetizations of Ultrathin Ferrimagnetic Lamellar Nanostructures between Cobalt Leads

In this work, we model the salient magnetic properties of the alloy lamellar ferrimagnetic nanostructures [Formula: see text] between [Formula: see text] semiinfinite leads. We have employed the Ising spin effective field theory (EFT) to compute the reliable magnetic exchange constants for the pure cobalt [Formula: see text] and gadolinium [Formula: see text] materials in complete agreement with their experimental data. The sublattice magnetizations of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] sites on the individual hcp atomic (0001) planes of the Co–Gd layered nanostructures are computed for each plane and corresponding sites by using the combined EFT and mean field theory (MFT) spin methods. The sublattice magnetizations, effective site magnetic moments, and ferrimagnetic compensation characteristics for the individual hcp atomic planes of the embedded nanostructures, are computed as a function of temperature, and for various stable eutectic concentrations in the range [Formula: see text]. The theoretical results for the sublattice magnetizations and the local magnetic variables of these ultrathin ferrimagnetic lamellar nanostructured systems, between cobalt leads, are necessary for the study of their magnonic transport properties, and eventually their spintronic dynamic computations. The method developed in this work is general and can be applied to comparable magnetic systems nanostructured with other materials.

Self-organization and dewetting kinetics in sub-10 nm diblock copolymer line/space lithography

In this work, we investigated the self-assembly of a lamellar block copolymer (BCP) under different wetting conditions. We explored the influence of the chemical composition of under-layers and top-coats on the thin film stability, self-assembly kinetics and BCP domain orientation. Three different chemistries were chosen for these surface affinity modifiers and their composition was tuned in order to provide either neutral wetting (i.e. an out-of-plane lamellar structure), or affine wetting conditions (i.e. an in-plane lamellar structure) with respect to a sub-10 nm PS-b-PDMSB lamellar system. Using such controlled wetting configurations, the competition between the dewetting of the BCP layer and the self-organization kinetics was explored. We also evaluated the spreading parameter of the BCP films with respect to the configurations of surface-energy modifiers and demonstrated that BCP layers are intrinsically unstable to dewetting in a neutral configuration. Finally, the dewetting mechanisms were evaluated with respect to the different wetting configurations and we clearly observed that the rigidity of the top-coat is a key factor to delay BCP film instability.

Lamellar diffraction from lipid bilayers on MIRA, a triple axis spectrometer at the MLZ

Diffraction used in conjunction with molecular deuteration provides a model independent means to examine detailed structural and compositional information of model and real biological membranes in the lamellar phase. The technique provides specific information of localization of molecules and smaller units with respect to the unit cell. Deuteration is used to provide specific labelling and to provide phasing for the crystallographic reconstruction. Typical data sets consist of a series of lamellar diffraction peaks, usually collected under conditions of 3 contrasts of the water gas phase. Accurately integrated the diffraction peaks can be used for a Fourier reconstruction of the composition of the lamellar unit cell in real space. Each diffraction peak which can be integrated for 3 contrasts contributes to an additional Fourier term in the reconstruction and optimization of the number of peaks enhances the spatial resolution of the crystallographic reconstruction. Here we report on the use of the flexibly configurable cold triple-axis spectrometer, MIRA, at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (Garching, Germany) for investigations of different lamellar systems using this approach. The data sets are acquired from lamellar stacks in an sample environment with humidity and temperature control with exceptionally low background. We discuss further enhancements of the instrument and sample environment which will provide information on the composition and equilibration of the sample.

Ternary‐Porous Conjugated N‐Halamine Nanofibers/Graphene Aerogels for Rechargeable Degradation of Mustard Gas

AbstractChemical warfare agents (CWAs) are significant threats to human peace and global safety. Most of the personal protective equipment in service used to barrier CWAs is devoid of decontamination activity. Rechargeable N‐halamine‐based detoxifying nanofibers/graphene chemical protective aerogels (HNAs) with ternary pores bearing π‐conjugation galleries that can effectively capture mustard gas through halogen bonds and convert them into the nontoxic products are proposed. Microporous nanofibers together with graphene construct a robust lamellar conjugated system dominated by π‐π interactions, providing interconnected channels for rapid dispersion and diffusion of contaminated fluid. The resulting HNAs exhibit integrated performances of low density, hierarchical porosity, a speedy recovery after a significant deformation, rechargeable vesicants decontamination (half‐life of 1.52 min), and low filtration resistance. The successful fabrication of the intriguing materials provides new insights into the generation of reliable, rechargeable, structurally adaptable, and long‐term usable real‐time detoxifying adsorbents for chemical personal protective equipment application.

La percussion lancée dans l’Aurignacien ancien du Bergeracois : quelques exemples issus des sites de Barbas III, Vieux Coutets, Les Garris et Cantalouette II (Dordogne, France)

In order to illustrate the launched percussion activities during the Early Aurignacian, we have selected four of the 15 sites appertaining to this technocomplex in the Bergerac region, in Southwestern France. The occupation of this territory, very rich in good quality flint nodules, some of which display imposing morphologies and dimensions, shows a certain functional complementarity between the different Aurignacian occupations, from the specialized occupation to the habitat site. In addition to technological particularities, such as the production of large blades (greater than 20 cm) or the coexistence of curved and straight lamellar production systems, this Early Aurignacian also illustrates some remarkable symbolic behavior expressed in body ornaments and artistic depictions. In these sites, the tools used in launched percussion, although always present, represent a marginal tool category, showing also a great diversity of functions. Three major classes of tools have been recognized: blunt impact tools, sharp impact tools, and linear blunt tools (an intermediate form between the other two). Each of these groups is oriented towards complementary uses within the range of activities made in these occupations. The blunt impact tools comprise a wide range of hammer-stones that take part in different phases of knapping activities, such as the opening of new blocks or the reconfiguration of cores, according to their physical and mechanical properties. Also, the traces left by these hammers are visible on other artifacts left on the sites, such as notches of carinated end-­scrapers. The sharp impact tools comprises a diversified range of cutting tools made on different blanks (preforms, cortical flakes, blades) obtained in laminar production. These tools present a particular morpho-functional structure of active or prehensive parts, natural or made, that improves an ergonomy essentially based on mass. This ergonomy, combined with the kinetics of launched percussion, gives these tools a great efficiency in chopping medium and hard organic materials. Finally, the linear blunt tools is represented by a single tool with blunt linear active zones, formed by open dihedrals with angles between 85 and 115°. The kind of activity made with this tool seems different, it bears traces of recurrent impacts similar to those present on tools used for grinding, pounding or crushing, suggesting also the presence of an anvil. These tools are very often associated with the transformation of plants. This panoply of diversified percussive tools complements the activities perceived on the other cutting and scrapping tools. This, again, illustrates the variety of activities made at this sites, basically the acquisition and transformation of organic perishable materials (of plant and animal origins), contributing to demonstrate that the Early Aurignacian occupations of the Bergeracois are much more complex thansimple flint workshops.

Imaging Topological Defects in a Noncollinear Antiferromagnet.

We report on the formation of topological defects emerging from the cycloidal antiferromagnetic order at the surface of bulk BiFeO_{3} crystals. Combining reciprocal and real-space magnetic imaging techniques, we first observe, in a single ferroelectric domain, the coexistence of antiferromagnetic domains in which the antiferromagnetic cycloid propagates along different wave vectors. We then show that the direction of these wave vectors is not strictly locked to the preferred crystallographic axes as continuous rotations bridge different wave vectors. At the junctions between the magnetic domains, we observe topological line defects identical to those found in a broad variety of lamellar physical systems with rotational symmetries. Our work establishes the presence of these magnetic objects at room temperature in the multiferroic antiferromagnet BiFeO_{3}, offering new possibilities for their use in spintronics.

The mechanism of flip-flops in a AOT lamella: A molecular dynamics study

A long 5000 ns run was conducted on sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (AOT)/water lamellar system to understand the unusual behavior. During the simulation run, we track up to 24 AOT molecules translocated from upper leaflet (UL) to lower leaflet (LL) and vice-verse. AOT molecule takes ~2–17 ns in average to move from one leaflet to other. The potential energy barrier of AOT interlayer translocation calculated as sum of Lennard-Jones and electrostatic energies is estimated to be around ~100–120 kJ/mol and the free energy barrier about 90 kJ/mol. A long-scale simulation is accompanied with undulations and large curvation of bilayer. We argue that the transbilayer flip-flop process is a pore-mediated, i.e. the events are accompanied with water pores (defects) formation. On the other side, the size of “water tunnels” is also important, although the successful transbilayer flip-flop events are not depends on the size and lifetime of the water pores.

Atopic Dermatitis: The Fate of the Fat.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory skin disease in which dry and itchy skin may develop into skin lesions. AD has a strong genetic component, as children from parents with AD have a two-fold increased chance of developing the disease. Genetic risk loci and epigenetic modifications reported in AD mainly locate to genes involved in the immune response and epidermal barrier function. However, AD pathogenesis cannot be fully explained by (epi)genetic factors since environmental triggers such as stress, pollution, microbiota, climate, and allergens also play a crucial role. Alterations of the epidermal barrier in AD, observed at all stages of the disease and which precede the development of overt skin inflammation, manifest as: dry skin; epidermal ultrastructural abnormalities, notably anomalies of the lamellar body cargo system; and abnormal epidermal lipid composition, including shorter fatty acid moieties in several lipid classes, such as ceramides and free fatty acids. Thus, a compelling question is whether AD is primarily a lipid disorder evolving into a chronic inflammatory disease due to genetic susceptibility loci in immunogenic genes. In this review, we focus on lipid abnormalities observed in the epidermis and blood of AD patients and evaluate their primary role in eliciting an inflammatory response.

A new genus of soil green microalgae Edaphochloris gen. nov. (Chlorellaceae, Trebouxiophyceae)

The problem of studying the species diversity of small single-celled green coccoid microalgae (Chlorophyta) is still relevant, since their simple and uniform cellular morphology makes it extremely difficult to correctly identify them. It is now generally accepted that the best approach for creating a new, more natural classification of “little green balls” is an approach that combines morphological, ecological, physiological and molecular phylogenetic methods. Strains ACSSI 104 and ACSSI 144 were isolated from solonetz and chestnut soil (Volgograd region, Russia). Their cells have a typical Nannochloris-like morphology: single spherical or subspherical cells, chloroplast single, parietal, cup-shaped, without pyrenoid, but with starch grains in it. Old cells accumulate numerous oil droplets in cytoplasm. Reproduction by 2−4 autospores. Autospores of both strains are equal size and exhibit liberation by rupture of sporangium cell wall. Zoospores and sexual reproduction not observed. Both strains are part of independent cluster closely related to genera Marvania, Pumiliosphaera, Nannochloris and Gloeotila. A comparative analysis of morphological (cell size, chloroplast type) and ultrastructural characteristics (structure of cell wall and lamellar system), features of reproduction (asexual reproduction by autospores only) and habitat (soil) with other members of the Nannochloris-clade, as well as results of analysis of 18S rRNA gene and ITS2 secondary structure of the studied strains, allowed us to propose a new genus – Edaphochloris with the type species – E. andreyevae. The report was prepared based on the materials of the V All-Russian Scientific Conference with international participation "Algae: problems of systematics, ecology and use in monitoring", 2021.

An eco-friendly and facile montmorillonite nanosheets aerogel based phase change materials for efficient solar-to-thermal energy conversion

In this work, a novel montmorillonite nanosheets/poly(vinyl alcohol) aerogel (MNP) supported composite phase change material (PCM) was prepared for the first time via the facile exfoliation of montmorillonite, the eco-friendly self-assembly and freeze-drying of montmorillonite nanosheets (MNs) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and the automatic impregnation with lauric acid (LA). Subsequently, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was employed as a functional filler to form an MN/PVA/rGO aerogel (MNPG) and an LA@MNPG composite to improve the thermal conductivity and sunlight absorbability. The phase change enthalpies of the LA@MNP and LA@MNPG composite PCMs were 189.4 and 191.2 J/g, respectively, resulting in ultrahigh encapsulation ratios of 97.6 wt% and 98.5 wt%, respectively, along with a satisfactory structural and thermal cycle stability over 2000 thermal cycles. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity of LA@MNPG reached 0.418 W/m·K, which was almost 157% that of pure LA. At the same time, the sunlight absorbability of the composite PCMs increased from 40% to 90% upon loading with a low content of rGO (5 wt%). The LA@MNP and LA@MNPG effectively absorbed sunlight and presented ultrahigh solar-to-thermal energy conversion efficiencies of 84.72% and 91.85%, respectively. This work paves the way for the development of eco-friendly and facile composite PCMs based on montmorillonite and other lamellar silicate aluminates systems. The findings also demonstrate the potential of composite PCMs for efficient solar-to-thermal energy conversion.

A new cyanobacterial genus Altericista and three species, A. lacusladogae sp. nov., A. violacea sp. nov., and A. variichlora sp. nov., described using a polyphasic approach.

Several strains of unicellular cyanobacteria from the culture collection of St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia (CALU), which were preliminary identified as Synechocystis sp., are reclassified in the new genus Altericista. Three new species are proposed, A. lacusladogae, A. violacea, and A. variichlora. The last species produces accessory chlorophylls d and f in cultures illuminated by far-red light, an attribute rarely observed in cyanobacteria, especially in unicellular strains. This genus is morphologically similar to Synechocysis having coccoid cells that divide in two successive planes at right angles, containing no sheath or capsule, and having the lamellar system represented by peripheral concentric thylakoids. Altericista shows ecological, biochemical, and physiological characters unlike those in Synechocystis and has the distinguishing phenotypic characters as follows: freshwater, non-halotolerant ecotype; palmitate and α-linoleate as major fatty acids; and the ability to photoacclimate, including several types of complementary chromatic adaptation. Genetic differences from Synechocystis sp. include 16S rRNA, rpoC1, and rbcL gene sequences, as well as sequence and folding of 16S-23S ITS.

Isolation and identification of potato aucuba mosaic virus naturally infecting potato plants in Egypt

Potato aucuba mosaic virus (PAMV) was isolated from naturally infected potato (Solanum tuberosum, L. cv. Agria) plants, showing yellow spotting, leaf deformation, severe stunting and necrosis in potato tubers symptoms, suspected to be due to virus infection. Diseased leaf samples were collected from different localities in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. The identification of isolated virus was based on symptomatology, host range, mode of transmission (mechanical- insect), DAS-ELISA, PCR, light microscopy and electron microscopy. chloroplast of potato leaf cells infected with PAMV were suffer severe destructure of the lamellar system with starch granules (arrow), deformations and wrinkles in cell wall and Swollen stroml thylakoids Fifteen of potato cultivars were tested for their reaction to PAMV infection. Only thirteen potato cultivars showed virus symptoms and given positive reaction in ELISA test after mechanical inoculation with PAMV. While two cultivars showed symptoms and given negative reaction in ELISA test. PAMV infection affected some of photosynthetic pigments in infected potato leaves, i.e. chlorophyll and carotenoids and also reduced the concentration of total carbohydrates and starch in tubers.

Detection and characterization of folded-chain clusters in the structured melt of isotactic polypropyl-ene.

Despite ceaseless efforts in past decades, the memory effect of semi-crystalline polymers has not been elucidated completely yet. An important reason why is that residual lamellar crystals in the structured melt are difficult to characterize. Recently, we developed a new small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) theory [Li et al. (2019). IUCrJ, 6, 968-983] and Fourier transform method [Li et al. (2020). CrystEngComm, 22, 3042-3058] for lamellar crystals that could derive structural information from SAXS readily. In this study, we tried to employ the new theory and method to characterize residual lamellar crystals in the structured melt. It was found that although scattering peaks cannot be observed in raw scattering profiles, they actually exist. Subtracting free-melt scattering and multiplying by q 4 benefit the observation of these weak scattering peaks. With the new Fourier transform method, it was found that indeed as proposed previously, thicker lamellar crystals exist in the structured melt. To determine the lateral size of residual lamellar crystal especially, a new method was developed under the guidance of the new theory. With the new method, it was found that although the crystallinity is very low (∼1% at 174°C), the lateral sizes in the structured melts are still large, e.g. 45.3 nm at 174°C, much greater than the critical nucleation size. This implies that these residual lamellar crystals can act as athermal nuclei after quenching to a lower temperature, as proposed by Ziabicki & Alfonso [(1994). Colloid Polym. Sci. 272, 1027-1042; (2002). Macromol. Symp. 185, 211-231] more than 20 years ago. The methodologies proposed here could also be applied to other polymer lamellar systems.

Inclusion of Laponite nanoparticles in a lyotropic lamellar phase.

In this work, we consider a ternary system formed by a surfactant with a lamellar phase (lecithin) that was doped with a solution of Laponite at 1% by volume. The inclusion of nanoparticles in the lamellar phase was investigated by the small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) technique, which revealed three types of structures according to the observed scattering pattern. The lamellar period increased linearly with hydration up to a certain limit; this type of behavior is not the same as that found for a similar system using AOT as a surfactant. In the region that corresponds to an isotropic phase, it was observed that the period corresponds to 60Å, and in the lamellar system of pure lecithin, with the same volumetric fraction (1/φ = 0.66), the corresponding periodicity is 62Å, indicating that the presence of Laponite nanoparticles increases the attractive interaction, reducing the lamellar period, causing the bilayer to become more rigid, that is, with less fluctuations. In the more diluted region, the periodicity reached a limit value of 64Å, which is slightly higher than the lamellar system in the absence of Laponite particles, so there was an expansion of the lamellar phase due to the lack of consistency of Laponite nanoparticles. In the more concentrated lamellar phase (under strong confinement), it was observed that the distance between the bilayers decreased, establishing a long-range order.