Elastic constants,viscosity and dielectric properties of bent-core nematic liquid crystals doped with single-walled carbon nanotubes

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are dispersed in (4’-fluoro phenyl azo) phenyl-4-yl 3-[N-(4’-n-hecyloxy 2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino]-2-methylbenzoate (6–2M-F) a bent-core nematic (BCN) liquid crystalline medium composed of bent-shaped molecules with short core, reduced bend angle possessing polar fluoro substituent in longitudinal direction and methyl group in bent direction. Such molecules are at the borderline of typical bent-core and rod-like molecules resembling hockey stick shape with intermediate properties. The elastic anisotropy is negative for 6–2M-F (bend elastic constant K₃₃ < splay elastic constant K₁₁); similar to other BCNs reported earlier with smectic-like clusters; but turns to high positive (K₃₃ > K₁₁) value by insertion of SWCNT (concentration ≥0.05 wt.%) in 6–2 M-F. The ratio of K₃₃/K₁₁ becomes comparable to the calamitic liquid crystals (LCs) in doped system. Dielectric anisotropy increases in the nanocomposite implying enhanced nematic ordering due to π–π electron interaction between CNTs and the LC molecules. Threshold voltage at first increases and then decreases with increasing CNT concentration owing to the respective variations in splay viscosity of the system. The present study demonstrated the interaction of SWCNTs with BCN molecules and reveals significant modifications in viscoelastic, dielectric and ionic properties of the host.     

Accurate measurement of the twist elastic constant of liquid crystal by using capacitance method

In this study, the twist elastic constant (k₂₂) of liquid crystals (LCs) was accurately measured using capacitance method. The constant can be obtained on the basis of accurate measurement of other LC parameters, such as parallel and vertical dielectric constants (ε_// and ε_⊥), splay and bend elastic constants (k₁₁ and k₃₃), and rotational viscosity coefficient (γ₁). First, by using dual-cell capacitance method and an LC cell capacitance model to measure ε_// and ε_⊥, k₁₁ and k₃₃ can be obtained from the threshold voltage determined from the voltage–capacitance curve of the parallel-aligned nematic LC layer and the comparison between the experimental and theoretical results based on the Frank elastic theory, respectively. In addition, γ₁ can be obtained from the measurement of the dynamic response in the parallel-aligned nematic cell. Finally, k₂₂ can be accurately determined using the threshold voltage of the twisted nematic LC cell. By adopting the above method, the measured k₂₂ for LC E7 was 6.7 × 10^?12 N. The proposed method is more rigorous and yields a more accurate measurement result than the other methods reported in the literature.     

Dielectric and elastic properties of a nematic phase induced by charge transfer interaction in a binary system containing disc-shaped molecules

Abstract

The dielectric constants and the elastic coefficients for splay (K ₁) and bend (K ₃) of the charge transfer induced nematic (N_c) phase of tridecyl pentakis(phenylethynyl)phenyl ether (1) doped with different amounts of 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone (2) were determined by studying the electric field induced bend deformation using the capacitance method. A negative dielectric anisotropy was observed. For the bend elastic constant K ₃ values up to 22 × 10^?12 N are found which are one order of magnitude higher than the respective values of discotic nematic (N_D) phases. Values of 0·6–0·8 are obtained for the ratio K ₁/K ₃; these show a minimum for the equimolar complex.     

Determination of elastic constants of a binary system (7CPB+9.CN) showing nematic,induced smectic Ad and re-entrant nematic phases

The temperature variation of the splay and bend elastic constants of a binary system exhibiting nematic-induced smectic A_d and re-entrant nematic phases measured by electric field-induced Freedericksz transition method has been reported. As bend deformation is not permitted in the smectic A phase, bend elastic constant (K₃₃) could only be determined in the nematic and re-entrant nematic phases. In both the nematic phases, the splay elastic constant has the same order of magnitude and does not show any pretransitional effect. However, in the induced smectic A_d phase, the value of K₁₁ is about one to two orders higher than that in the nematic phases. The bend elastic constant shows a strong pretransitional effect near the nematic–smectic and smectic–re-entrant nematic phase transitions. The influence of the presence of the induced smectic phase is observed even in those mixtures which have no induced smectic phases. As the smectic phase is approached, the ratio K₃₃/K₁₁ increases rapidly and diverges to infinity.     

Anchoring Properties of Nematic Liquid Crystals Studied Using the Attenuated Total Reflection Method

Abstract

By using the attenuated total reflection method associated with the excitation of surface plasmons, the tilt angle of the liquid crystal director and its gradient at the surface are measured in a planar nematic cell as a function of the applied voltage. The surface anchoring anisotropy δπ of the liquid crystal and the surface elastic constant k_s , are found to be δπ = 0.288 erg/cm and k_s , = 9·12 × 10^-11 erg, respectively, when the boundary condition suggested by Barbero et al is used. The theoretical and experimental values obtained with this boundary condition and that of Mada are discussed. The results show that the boundary condition proposed by Barbero et al is in better agreement with the experiment.     

Invited Lecture. Material properties,structural relations with molecular ensembles and electro-optical performance of new bicyclohexane liquid crystals in field-effect liquid crystal displays

Abstract

Several new classes of polar and non-polar bicyclohexane liquid crystals comprising alkenyl side chains are presented. The compounds exhibit low optical anisotropies, Δn, < 0.1 and rotational viscosities, γ₁, as low as 35 cP at 22°C. This leads, in combination with large elastic expressions k = k ₁ + (k ₃ - 2k ₂)/4 > 12 × 10^?12 N, to low viscoelastic ratios γ₁/k and to short response times in field-effect liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Strong odd-even effects occur in the bend/splay elastic ratio k ₃/k ₁ upon shifting the alkenyl double bond from even into odd side chain positions. As a result the ratio k ₃/k ₁ can be tuned over the wide range 0·9 ? k ₃/k ₁ ? 3·0. Correlations between the electro-optical properties of twisted nematic, supertwisted nematic, optical mode interference LCDs and material parameters demonstrate the high degree of multiplexability of the new compounds. Roche interactive molecular modelling is applied to determine the possible equilibrium configuration not only of single molecules, but for the first time to whole molecular ensembles comprising 12 molecules. First results show that the shape of the ensembles, E, depends on the position of the double bond in the side chains of the molecules. The length/width ratio of E decreases for even double bond positions.     

Elastic properties of bimesogenic liquid crystals

The second nematic phase found in some bimesogenic liquid crystals with an odd flexible spacer has aroused considerable interest due to many unusual properties exhibited by them. However, the reason for such molecules to exhibit transitions to the modulated phase is still unclear. Dozov [Europhys Lett. 2001;56:247] predicted that negative K ₃₃ can lead to a modulated phase where the director has either splay-bend or twist-bend distribution. Though various theoretical studies have suggested that this scenario may be valid, no experimental evidence has so far been given. In order to study the influence of the elastic constants, we measured the splay and bend elastic constants in the ordinary nematic phase of a dimer material, CBC11CB, for temperatures down to 0.6°C above the Nx–Nu transition. Our results show that the bend constant is reduced by a factor of 2 compared with that closer to the I-Nu transition but is positive and the trend does not seem that K ₃₃ will extrapolate to zero or fall below it for the temperature range investigated. Compared to K ₁₁, K ₃₃ is reduced by a factor of 3, close to the Nu–Nx transition temperature.     

Anomalies in the twist elastic behaviour of mixtures of calamitic and bent-core liquid crystals

ABSTRACT

The splay, twist and bend elastic constants (K₁₁, K₂₂ and K₃₃) have been measured as a function of temperature in bent-core/calamitic mixtures based on three different calamitic materials (5CB, 8CB and ZLI1132) and two bent-core dopants. The behaviour of the splay and bend constants are as expected; a reduction in K₃₃ of ~20%, in line with predictions from mixing rules and other observations. Interestingly, no change is seen in the splay constant, K₁₁ of the calamitic hosts. Surprisingly though, the twist elastic constant exhibits a reduction of 30 – 40% in all mixtures across the nematic range, an effect not previously reported and much larger than mixing rules can explain. The elastic behaviour is universal in our mixtures. We explain part of the reduction in the twist deformation by considering the influence of the chiral conformer fluctuations of the bent-core molecules on the twist elastic constants of the mixtures. However, the dramatic reduction can only be fully explained by also including contributions from chiral conformer fluctuations of the calamitic host, a form of chiral amplification.     

Dielectric investigation of the diamagnetic anisotropy and elasticity of 4-trans-4′-n-hexyl-cyclohexyl-isothiocyanatobenzene (6CHBT)

Abstract

We have measured the dielectric constants of 6CHBT. The results from studies of various alignments and thicknesses measured under different electric and magnetic fields are presented. We discuss how the dielectric properties depend on boundary conditions, sample thickness and the magnitudes of electric and magnetic fields. Experimental results and discussion in the terms of continuum theory make it possible to compute the diamagnetic anisotropy (Δχ), as well as the splay and bend elastic constants (K ₁₁, K ₃₃) of 6CHBT.     

Activation and racemization of trifluoroacetate esters in the cationic polymerization of styrene

1-Phenylethyl trifluoroacetate ( 1 ) does not react directly with styrene but it is readily incorporated into polymer chains in the presence of an excess of trifluoroacetic acid. The proportion of the nondeuterated 1-phenylethyl end groups in the polymerization of deuterated styrene coinitiated with the acid was much higher than the proportion of the end groups formed by direct incorporation of the acidic protons ([CH₃? CHPh? CD₂? CDPh? …] > [HCD₂? CDPh? CH₂? CDPh? …]). The racemization of the optically active ester-(pseudo-first order rate constant at [HA]₀ = 0.79 mol/L at 20°C equals k^R = 1.7 × 10^?4 S^?1) is more rapid than the incorporation of the ester into polymer chains (k^E = 1.5 × 10^?4 mol^?1 Ls^?1, [M]₀ < 0.4 mol L^?1, i.e., k^R > k^E · [M]). These results and the complete loss of the optical activity in the final polymer indicate that the ester is activated by the acid but it is incorporated into polymer chain via ionic intermediates.     

Phase transitions,optical, dielectric and viscoelastic properties of colloidal suspensions of BaTiO3 nanoparticles and cyanobiphenyl liquid crystals

We report experimental studies on the phase transitions and physical properties of colloidal suspensions of BaTiO₃ nanoparticles and two cyanobiphenyl liquid crystals (4-pentyl-4?-cyanobiphenyl and 4-octyl-4?-cyanobiphenyl). From the differential scanning calorimetric measurements, we show that the nanoparticles have antagonistic effect on the isotropic to nematic and nematic to smectic-A phase transitions. The birefringence, dielectric anisotropy and splay elastic constant remain almost unchanged, whereas the bend elastic constant and rotational viscosity decrease considerably. The experimental results are discussed based on the possible contribution of BaTiO₃ nanoparticles and free surfactant molecules in the suspensions.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of Cl atoms with HO2 radicals

The kinetic and mechanism of the reaction Cl + HO₂ → products (1) have been studied in the temperature range 230–360 K and at total pressure of 1 Torr of helium using the discharge‐flow mass spectrometric method. The following Arrhenius expression for the total rate constant was obtained either from the kinetics of HO₂ consumption in excess of Cl atoms or from the kinetics of Cl in excess of HO₂: k₁ = (3.8 ± 1.2) × 10^?11 exp[(40 ± 90)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, where uncertainties are 95% confidence limits. The temperature‐independent value of k₁ = (4.4 ± 0.6) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at T = 230–360 K, which can be recommended from this study, agrees well with most recent studies and current recommendations. Both OH and ClO were detected as the products of reaction (1) and the rate constant for the channel forming these species, Cl + HO₂ → OH + ClO (1b), has been determined: k_1b = (8.6 ± 3.2) × 10^?11 exp[?(660 ± 100)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (with k_1b = (9.4 ± 1.9) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at T = 298 K), where uncertainties represent 95% confidence limits. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 317–327, 2001     

Oxidation of dimethyl ether: Absolute rate constants for the self reaction of CH3OCH2 radicals,the reaction of CH3OCH2 radicals with O2, and the thermal decomposition of CH3OCH2 radicals

The rate constant for the reaction of CH₃OCH₂ radicals with O₂ (reaction (1)) and the self reaction of CH₃OCH₂ radicals (reaction (5)) were measured using pulse radiolysis coupled with time resolved UV absorption spectroscopy. k₁ was studied at 296K over the pressure range 0.025–1 bar and in the temperature range 296–473K at 18 bar total pressure. Reaction (1) is known to proceed through the following mechanism: CH₃OCH₂ + O₂ ↔ CH₃OCH₂O₂^# → CH₂OCH₂O₂H^# → 2HCHO + OH (k_prod) CH₃OCH₂ + O₂ ↔ CH₃OCH₂O₂^# + M → CH₃OCH₂O₂ + M (k_RO2) k = k_RO2 + k_prod, where k_RO2 is the rate constant for peroxy radical production and k_prod is the rate constant for formaldehyde production. The k₁ values obtained at 296K together with the available literature values for k₁ determined at low pressures were fitted using a modified Lindemann mechanism and the following parameters were obtained: k_RO2,0 = (9.4 ± 4.2) × 10⁻³⁰ cm⁶ molecule⁻² s⁻¹, k_RO2,∞ = (1.14 ± 0.04) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and k_prod,0 = (6.0 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, where k_RO2,0 and k_RO2,∞ are the overall termolecular and bimolecular rate constants for formation of CH₃OCH₂O₂ radicals and k_prod,0 represents the bimolecular rate constant for the reaction of CH₃OCH₂ radicals with O₂ to yield formaldehyde in the limit of low pressure. k_RO2,∞ = (1.07 ± 0.08) × 10⁻¹¹ exp(−(46 ± 27)/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ was determined at 18 bar total pressure over the temperature range 296–473K. At 1 bar total pressure and 296K, k₅ = (4.1 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and at 18 bar total pressure over the temperature range 296–523K, k₅ = (4.7 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. As a part of this study the decay rate of CH₃OCH₂ radicals was used to study the thermal decomposition of CH₃OCH₂ radicals in the temperature range 573–666K at 18 bar total pressure. The observed decay rates of CH₃OCH₂ radicals were consistent with the literature value of k₂ = 1.6 × 10¹³exp(−12800/T)s⁻¹. The results are discussed in the context of dimethyl ether as an alternative diesel fuel. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Aromatic poly(amic acids): Fundamental structural studies

Aromatic poly(amic acids) derived from pyromellitic dianhydride and 4,4′,-diaminodiphenyl ether were characterized by dilute solution techniques. Number-average molecular weights M?_n of 13 samples ranged from 13,000 to 55,000 (DP 31–131). Weight-average molecular weights M?_w of 21 samples ranged from 9,900 to 266,000. The ratio M?_w/M?_n was between 2.2 and 4.8. Heterogeneous polymerization yielded higher molecular weight polymer than homogeneous polymerization. The molecular weight could be varied systematically by control of stoichiometric imbalance. Use of very pure monomers and solvent gave polymers of relatively high number-average molecular weight (～50, 000) and the most probable molecular weight distribution M?_w/M?_n = 2. Impure monomers and/or solvent resulted in lower number-average molecular weight (M?_n ? 20,000–30,000) and wider distributions (M?_w/M?_n = 3–5). The Mark-Houwink relation obtained was [η] = 1.85 × 10^?4M?_w^0.80 The exponent is characteristic of moderately extended solvated coils. The unperturbed chain dimensions (r₀² /M)^1/2 were 0.848 A., and the steric factor σ was 1.24 which is close to the limiting value of unity for an equivalent chain with free internal rotations. The sedimentation constant–molecular weight relation was S₀ = 2.70 × 10^?2M?_w^0.39. This exponent is consistent with the Mark-Houwink exponent.     

The second limit of hydrogen + carbon monoxide + oxygen mixtures

Previous studies by Buckler and Norrish of the second limit of CO and O₂ mixtures containing small amounts (0.25–10%) of H₂ have been used to obtain the velocity constant of the reaction These estimates of k₃₃ = 3.9 × 10⁸ and 3.5 × 10⁸ liter² mole^?2 sec^?1 (M ? H₂) at 500° and 560°C, respectively, have been combined with other estimates over the range 300°–3500°K to give k₃₃ = 3.0 × 10⁸ exp (?3000/RT) for M ? Ar; the considerable scatter in the available points does not encourage any great confidence in this expression and may be attributed at least partly to the different molecules used as M by different workers. For KCl-coated and CsCl-coated vessels at 540°C, studies of the second limit of H₂ + O₂ mixtures, to which CO has been added, have indicated that with both the surfaces, the effect of CO on the limit is masked by changes in the surface nature. In the case of CsCl, the results have enabled a lower limit of about 0.6 to be obtained for the efficiency of CO relative to H₂ in the reaction Use of a computer treatment to interpret the second limit of CO + H₂ + O₂ mixtures in aged boric-acid-coated vessels at 500°C gives a value of m_CO = 0.74 ± 0.04 together with an estimate of k₃₂ (H + CO + M″ = HCO + M″)/k₄ = 0.022 ± 0.003, which leads to k₃₂ = 2.3 × 10⁸ liter² mole^?2 sec^?1 (M ? H₂) at 500°C.     

Molecular weight distribution in radiation-induced polymerization. I. γ-radiation-induced free-radical polymerization of liquid styrene

The kinetics of γ-radiation-induced free-radical polymerization of styrene were studied over the temperature range 0–50°C at radiation intensities of 9.5 × 10⁴, 3.1 × 10⁵, 4.0 × 10⁵, and 1.0 × 10⁶ rad/hr. The overall rate of polymerization was found to be proportional to the 0.44–0.49 power of radiation intensity, and the overall activation energy for the radiation-induced free-radical polymerization of styrene was 6.0–6.3 kcal/mole. Values of the kinetic constants, k_p²/k_t and k_trm/k_p, were calculated from the overall polymerization rates and the number-average molecular weights. Gelpermeation chromatography was used to determine the number-average molecular weight M?_n, the weight-average molecular weight M?_w, and the polydispersity ratio M?_w/M?_n, of the product polystyrene. The polydispersity ratios of the radiation-polymerized polystyrene were found to lie between 1.80 and 2.00. Significant differences were observed in the polydispersity ratios of chemically initiated and radiation-induced polystyrenes. The radiation chemical yield, G(styrene), was calculated to be 0.5–0.8.     

Synthetic thermally reversible gel systems. IV

The polymerization kinetics in water of acrylylglycinamide (AG) initiated by K₂S₂O₈ was studied over the temperature range 40.0 to 60.0°C. Monomer concentration was varied from 7.8 × 10^?3 to 31.2 × 10^?3M and catalyst from 1.85 × to 11.10 × 10^?5M. The rate expression is ?d[M]/dt = R_p, = k_1.22[K₂S₂O₈]^0.5[M]^1.22, and the overall empirical rate constant, k_1.22 = 1.14 × 10¹¹e^?15,800/RT 1.^0.72 mole^?0.72 min^?1. To explain the dependence on monomer, a kinetic scheme which includes a bimolecular reaction (k₂) between monomer and initiator is suggested. The simplified expression which describes the initial rate of polymerization is: ?d[M]/dt = R_p, = k₄(2[I]/k₅)^1/2[M](k₁ + k₂[M])^1/2, where k₁, k₂, k₄ and k₅ are rate constants for S₂O₈ = decomposition, a bimolecular reaction between monomer and initiator, propagation, and termination, respectively. Individual bimolecular rate constants are expressed in liter/mole-min. The equation predicts a dependence on monomer concentration between 1.0 and 1.5 with 1.5 being approached a t high monomer concentrations. Plots of R_P²/[M]² versus [M] are linear, as predicted by the postulated reaction route and values for k₂ and k₄/k₅^1/2 were obtained from the slopes and intercepts of these plots. The temperature dependence of the bimolecular monomer-initiator reaction is k₂ = 5.19 × 10²¹e^?36,000/RT. Instead of the usual behavior, the k₄/k₅^1/2 ratio was found to decrease with temperature and the difference of activation energies, (E₄ ? E₅/2), is ?1.50 kcal. The temperature dependence of the propagation to square root of the termination rate constant ratio is k₄/k₅^1/2 = 6.16e^1500/RT. These rather unusual results may be related to the ability of AG polymers in water to form thermally reversible gels; even above the gel melting points, the polymers are considerably aggregated in solution. This would tend to make the bimolecular termination reaction more temperature dependent and also account for the high values (59–69) for the k₄/k₅^1/2 ratios. For similar temperatures, the overall rate constants for AG are approximately four times those for acrylamide.     

The kinetics of ClO formation in the flash photolysis of chlorine–oxygen mixtures

The production of ClOO and ClO radicals following the flash photolysis of chlorine + oxygen mixtures has been studied. For the mechanism the following kinetic parameters were measured: k₃K = 1.3 × 10¹⁰ l²/mol²·sec; k₂/k₃ = 17; and k₃/?(ClOO; 250 nm) = 9.7 × 10⁵ cm/sec. Then k₃ = 5.9 × 10⁹ l/mol·sec, k₂ = 1.0 × 10¹¹ l/mol·sec, and ?(ClOO; 250 nm) = 6.1 × 10³ l/mol·cm. From limits established for the equilibrium constant K, ΔH°_f (ClOO) = 94 ± 2 kJ/mol.     

Kinetics of OH radical reactions with a series of ethers

The rate constants for the reactions of OH with dimethyl ether (k₁), diethyl ether (k₂), di-n-propyl ether (k₃), di-isopropyl ether (k₄), and di-n-butyl ether (k₅) have been measured over the temperature range 230–372 K using the pulsed laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) technique. The temperature dependence of k₁,k₄, can be expressed in the Arrhenius plots form: k₁ = (6.30 ± 0.10) × 10^?12 exp[?(234 ± 34)/T] and k₄ = (4.13 ± 0.10) × 10^?12 exp[(274 ± 26)/T]. The Arrhenius plots for k₂,k₃, and k₅, were curved and they were fitted to the three parameter expressions: k₂ = (1.02 ± 0.08) × 10^?17 T² exp[(797 ± 24)/T], k₃ = (1.84 ± 0.23) × 10^?17T² exp[(767 ± 34)/T], and k₅ = (6.29 ± 0.74) × 10^?18T² exp[(1164 ± 34)/T]. The values at 298 K are (2.82 ± 0.21) × 10^?12, (1.36 ± 0.11) × 10^?11,(2.17 ± 0.16) × 10^?11, (1.02 ± 0.10) × 10^?11, and (2.69 ± 0.22) × 10^?11 for k₁, k₂, k₃, k₄, and k₅, respectively, (in cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1). These results are compared to the literature data. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Elastic,dielectric and optical constants of the nematic mixture E49

The Merck nematic mixture E49 exhibits a large nematic interval (0–100 °C) and a large dielectric anisotropy. Both of these features make E49 interesting for applications and basic physics. Unfortunately, no systematic measurements of the material constants of this mixture and their temperature dependence have been reported in the literature. In this paper we report experimental measurements of the splay and bend elastic constants (K ₁₁ and K ₃₃) of the ordinary and the extraordinary refractive indices (n _ort and n _par) at the wavelength λ?=?632.8 nm and of the two elastic constants parallel and orthogonal to the director (ε_par and ε_ort) at the frequency ν?=?5?kHz. The temperature dependence of all of these parameters is found in the temperature range 25–99 °C. The measurements of the elastic constants are performed using both a dielectric and an optical method simultaneously on the same nematic sample. The results obtained using the two methods are in a satisfactory agreement between them within the estimated experimental uncertainty. The ordinary and the extraordinary indices are measured using the prism method.