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Biaxial nematics: computer simulation studies of a generic rod-disc dimer model

Biaxial nematics: computer simulation studies of a generic rod-disc dimer model
Biaxial nematics: computer simulation studies of a generic rod-disc dimer model
One possible route to the elusive biaxial nematic phase is through rod–disc dimers in which the rod and disc mesogenic units are linked via a flexible spacer. We have developed a continuous generic model of such rod–disc dimers in which neighbouring like groups tend to align parallel to each other while unlike groups tend to be orthogonal. A torsional potential controls the relative orientations of the groups within a single dimer; depending on the strength of the torsional potential, the groups may be orthogonal or parallel in the conformational ground state. Monte Carlo simulations show that a rigid rod–disc dimer is most likely to form a biaxial nematic phase if the anisotropies of the two groups are the same. Introduction of flexibility is found to have little effect on the qualitative behaviour of the dimer as the relative anisotropy of the two mesogenic groups is changed. However, when the torsional potential strongly favours the alignment of the rod and disc within a single molecule with their symmetry axes parallel there is a dramatic change. The system then exhibits a strong hysteresis in the molecular shape and biaxiality and the biaxial nematic–isotropic transition becomes strongly first order, in marked contrast to the second-order character usually found for this transition. This first-order transition is observed to occur for a range of relative anisotropies of the two groups rather than at a single point.
liquid-crystal mixtures, cylindrically symmetric molecules, anisotropic systems, monte-carlo, orientational order, phase-transitions, mesogens, particles, behavior, diagram
1463-9076
2821-2829
Bates, Martin A.
6001a185-ebdb-4ed1-959c-6bba80c61ed2
Luckhurst, Geoffrey R.
80cbbfc6-d5c7-4f46-bacd-1cfb42b56553
Bates, Martin A.
6001a185-ebdb-4ed1-959c-6bba80c61ed2
Luckhurst, Geoffrey R.
80cbbfc6-d5c7-4f46-bacd-1cfb42b56553

Bates, Martin A. and Luckhurst, Geoffrey R. (2005) Biaxial nematics: computer simulation studies of a generic rod-disc dimer model. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 7 (14), 2821-2829. (doi:10.1039/b505876g).

Record type: Article

Abstract

One possible route to the elusive biaxial nematic phase is through rod–disc dimers in which the rod and disc mesogenic units are linked via a flexible spacer. We have developed a continuous generic model of such rod–disc dimers in which neighbouring like groups tend to align parallel to each other while unlike groups tend to be orthogonal. A torsional potential controls the relative orientations of the groups within a single dimer; depending on the strength of the torsional potential, the groups may be orthogonal or parallel in the conformational ground state. Monte Carlo simulations show that a rigid rod–disc dimer is most likely to form a biaxial nematic phase if the anisotropies of the two groups are the same. Introduction of flexibility is found to have little effect on the qualitative behaviour of the dimer as the relative anisotropy of the two mesogenic groups is changed. However, when the torsional potential strongly favours the alignment of the rod and disc within a single molecule with their symmetry axes parallel there is a dramatic change. The system then exhibits a strong hysteresis in the molecular shape and biaxiality and the biaxial nematic–isotropic transition becomes strongly first order, in marked contrast to the second-order character usually found for this transition. This first-order transition is observed to occur for a range of relative anisotropies of the two groups rather than at a single point.

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Published date: 2005
Keywords: liquid-crystal mixtures, cylindrically symmetric molecules, anisotropic systems, monte-carlo, orientational order, phase-transitions, mesogens, particles, behavior, diagram

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 20712
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/20712
ISSN: 1463-9076
PURE UUID: 9c0912e0-0617-4ab9-a502-ee444ebac3bc

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Date deposited: 01 Mar 2006
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 06:25

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Author: Martin A. Bates

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