This study reports on the formation of a low viscosity H(II) mesophase at room temperature upon addition of
Transcutol (
diethylene glycol mono
ethyl ether) or
ethanol to the ternary mixture of GMO (
glycerol monooleate)/TAG (
tricaprylin)/water. The microstructure and bulk properties were characterized in comparison with those of the low viscosity HII mesophase formed in the ternary GMO/TAG/water mixture at elevated temperatures (35-40 degrees C). We characterized the role of
Transcutol or
ethanol as inducers of disorder and
surfactant mobility. The techniques used were rheology, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS and SAXS, respectively), NMR (self-diffusion and (2)H NMR), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. The incorporation of either
Transcutol or
ethanol induced the formation of less ordered HII mesophases with smaller domain sizes and lattice parameters at room temperature (up to 30 degrees C), similar to those found for the GMO/TAG/water mixture at more elevated temperatures (35-40 degrees C). On the basis of our measurements, we suggest that
Transcutol or
ethanol causes
dehydration of the GMO headgroups and enhances the mobility of the GMO chains. As a result, these two small molecules, which compete for water with the GMO polar headgroups, may increase the curvature of the cylindrical
micelles and also perhaps reduce their length. This results in the formation of fluid H(II) structures at room temperature (up to 30 degrees C). It is possible that these phases are a prelude to the H(II)-L(2) transformation, which takes place above 35 degrees C.