A study of the nematic-smectic A-smectic C point in a binary liquid-crystalline mixture by adiabatic scanning calorimetry

An adiabatic scanning calorimetric technique has been used to investigate the nematic-smectic A-smectic C (NAC) multicritical point in mixtures of 4-n-pentyl-oxyphenyl-4'-n-octyloxybenzoate and 4-n-hexyloxyphenyl-4'-n-octyloxybenzoate. The NC transitions are weakly first order and the latent heat becomes zero at or very near the NAC point. Near the NAC point no thermal feature associated with the NA transitions could be observed. The heat capacity anomalies along the second order AC transition line and along the first order NC line indicate the presence of a tricritical point at or very near the NAC multicritical point. No thermal indications for a biaxial nematic phase were observed.     

First observation of aS C * -S A-TGBA multicritical point in a pure compound

High pressure experiments have been performed by thermobarometric analysis on two homologous (n=10 and 11) of the [3-fluoro-4((R) or (S)-methylheptyloxy) 4′-(4″-alkoxy-3″-fluorobenzoyloxy) tolans series, which both exhibit the TΓB_A phase. The character (first or/and second order) of the transitions involving the TGB_A phase are determined from thermobarograms. The pressure-temperature phase diagrams show that the TGB_A phase is stabilized under high pressure for the two compounds. Forn=11 an inducedS _A phase is observed under high pressures leading to the first experimental observation, on pressure-temperature phase diagram of pure compounds, of aS _C ^* -S _A-TGB_A multicritical point, previously predicted by the Renn-Lubensky theory.     

Electrohydrodynamic instability in some nematic cyanobiphenyls in an a.c. electric field

Abstract

Electrohydrodynamic instability in homeotropically oriented nematic samples of 4′-n-octyl-4-cyano-biphenyl and 4′n-alkyloxy-4-cyanobiphenyl, (n = 8.9) have been studied in an a.c. electric field. The domain patterns during the instability in these compounds in a very low frequency a.c. field are very similar to those in a d.c. field. The domain patterns observed at higher frequencies have been identified as ‘maltese crosses’ or ‘crossed isogyres’. The electro-convective ‘isotropic’ flows near the electrode play an important role in the observed instability.     

E.S.R. and D.S.C. investigations of phase transitions in polymorphic 4-n-alkoxybenzylidene-4′-n-alkylanilines

Abstract

It is shown that the McMillan parameter M = T _SAN/T _N1 (where T _SAN and T _NI are respectively the temperatures of the smectic A to nematic (SAN) and the nematic to isotropic (NI) phase transitions) is useful in analysing the crossover between second and first order behaviour of the S_NN transition in the nO.m homologous liquid crystal series (the 4-n-alkoxybenzylidene-4′-n-alkylanilines). Using a phase diagram of orientational ordering versus M for this series, as obtained in this work (from E.S.R. and D.S.C), a symmetric tricritical point with mean field exponent β₂ = 1 is demonstrated. In a preliminary study of E.S.R. linewidth parameters B and C of nitroxide spin probes dissolved in members of the nO.m series exhibiting a first order S_AN transition, critical-type divergences are observed near this transition. In the case where M is closer to 0.959 (the value at the tricritical point), these divergences appear similar to those previously observed in related nO.m members with a second order S_AN transition; however, they are considerably enhanced for an M value closer to unity (i.e. more removed from the tricritical point). This indicates the importance of coupling between orientational and positional order parameters in the observed critical-type divergences.     

Mesomorphic phase transitions of a series of D-phase compounds

Abstract

Mesomorphic phase transitions of 4′-n-alkoxy-3′-nitrobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acids (ANBC) with numbers of carbons (n) in the alkoxy group ranging from 11 to 22 have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy. The D phase, a mesophase of particular interest through its being optically isotropic, was observed for the n = 17, 19, 20, 21, and 22 members of the ANBCs, as well as for the n = 16 and 18 members, as reported previously. The S_c-D phase transition temperature decreased with increasing n, so that the temperature range of the D phase extended over 64° at n = 22. In the n = 15 member, the D phase was certainly observed on first heating, but was not seen on subsequent cooling and second heating processes.     

Simultaneous photoacoustic measurements of specific heat and thermal conductivity critical behaviour at a smectic A–nematic phase transition

Abstract

Simultaneous measurements of the thermal conductivity and specific heat at the smectic A-nematic phase transition in 4-n-octyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (8CB) have been carried out with the photoacoustic technique. A critical increase in the thermal conductivity is reported. A critical decrease in the thermal diffusivity data confirms that the transition in 8CB is fluctuation dominated as also shown by the critical behaviour of the specific heat.     

Influence of the smectic A-nematic transitional order on the formation of the smectic phases of 4-n-hexyloxybenzylidene-4′-n-butyIaniline and 4-n-butyloxybenzylidene-4′-n-octyIaniline from an electrically deformed nematic phase

Abstract

The crucial role of the smectic A-nematic transitional order for the formation of the smectic A, B and G phases from an electrically deformed nematic phase of the liquid crystal 4-n-hexyloxy-benzylidene-4′-n-butylaniline (6O.4) with a typical smectic A-nematic first order transition and the formation of the smectic A and B phases from an electrically deformed nematic phase of the liquid crystal (4-n-butyloxy-benzylidene-4′-n-octylaniline (40.8) with a smectic A-nematic second order transition has been demonstrated. The nematic phase was deformed by an AC voltage of 2U,_th 5U _th and 10U _th, where U _th is the threshold voltage which causes the appearance of the Fréedericksz transition in the homeotropic nematic layer. The smectic textures have been observed on free cooling of the nematic phase or after the use of an oven. The smectic A phase of the liquid crystal 60.4 was observed with the formation of a clear smectic A-nematic phase boundary while the smectic A phase of the liquid crystal 40.8 has been formed from intermediate pretransitional stripes, observed by Cladis and Torza [1]. The homeotropic anchoring of the direction was crucial for the formation of the smectic phases of the liquid crystal 40.8 but not significant for the liquid crystal 60.4.     

Adiabatic scanning calorimetry of the nematic-smectic A1 and the smectic A1–smectic A transitions in frustrated smectic mixtures at low temperatures

Abstract

Phase diagram results and high resolution adiabatic scanning calorimetric data are presented for several binary mixtures of 4-cyanocyclohexyl-4'-n-butyl-cyclohexane and 1 amino-9-fluorenone showing smectic A₁ and smectic à phases at low temperatures. Contrary to present theoretical expectations and experimental evidence for other systems, we find strongly first order nematic to smectic A₁ transitions with a latent heat of about 2 kJ/mol for all the mixtures investigated. The enthalpy change related to the smectic A₁ to smectic à transitions is two orders of magnitude smaller and corresponds most likely to a fluctuation induced first order transition.     

Mesogenicity of 4-alkanoyl-4′-alkyloxybiphenyl derivatives

Abstract

Phase transitions of 4-alkanoyl-4′-alkyloxybiphenyl were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and optical microscopy. 4-Acetyl-4′-alkyloxybiphenyl homologues (number of carbon atoms, of n, 4′-alkyloxy group is 4–10) showed S_E phases with good thermal stability, while 4-propionyl-4′-alkyloxybiphenyl homologues (n = 4–10) and 4-pentanoyl-4′-decyloxybiphenyl showed S_A phases with good thermal stability. Moreover changes in the thermal stability by substitution of bulky Br, Cl or CH₃ substituents into the alkanoyl groups were studied for the previously mentioned three homologues. The substitution at the α-position of the alkanoyl group was found to strikingly lower the thermal stability.     

Analysis of phase transitions by photothermal probe beam deflection

A recent photothermal technique has been used to study the smectic A-nematic and nematic-isotropic phase transitions in 4-n-octyl-4prime;-cyanobiphenyl and in binary mixtures of 4-n-octyl- and 4-n-octyloxy-4prime;-cyanobiphenyl. A numerical analysis shows that both amplitude and phase of the photothermal signal are sensitive to the change of certain thermal parameters for the sample.     

Equation for the coexistence curve of alkanes near critical temperature,based on the van der Waals Model

According to the fluctuation theory of phase transitions, a real liquid near the critical point is an ideal gas of the fluctuations of the order parameter, the size of which is determined by the correlation length of the system. We deduce the extended equation of state of liquids near the critical temperature by including the properties of the real van der Waals gas in this model, i.e., taking into account the own volume of the fluctuations of the order parameter and the interaction forces between them. We use this equation to analyze the temperature dependence of the density of a series of alkanes (C _n H_{2n + 2}, n = 1 − 12) along the line of the liquid-gas equilibrium near their critical temperatures. We show that the parameters of this extended equation of the state of substance are linear functions of the compressibility factor of alkanes.     

Influence of the order parameter and of the director orientation on the surface tension of free nematic films

Abstract

A radial hydrodynamic flow in the nematic phase of free, suspended cylindrical films of 4-n-heptyl- and decyloxybenzoic acid and in 4,4′-di-n-heptyl-oxyazoxybenzene has been observed. The flow starts about 7°C before the phase transition into the smectic C phase. Under the same experimental conditions such a hydrodynamic flow is not established in free nematic films of 4-n-heptyl-and octyloxy-4′-cyanobiphenyl, 4,4′-dimethoxyazoxybenzene and N-(4-ethoxybenzylidene)-4′-n-butylaniline after the completion of the transition from the isotropic liquid to the nematic phase. The observed hydrodynamic flow is explained by a non-linear temperature dependence of the surface tension.     

Landau theory for isotropic,nematic, smectic-A,and smectic-C phases

ABSTRACT

We use the Landau theory of phase transitions to describe the phase diagram of a liquid crystal displaying the isotropic (i), nematic (N), smectic-A and smectic-C phases. The order parameter of the smectic-C phase is defined as the projection of the director on the plane of the smectic layers, vanishing in the smectic-A phase. We present a detailed phase diagram that shows transition between any two of these phases, containing a triple point INA, a Lifshitz point NAC, a tricritical at the NA line, and a critical end point IAC. As one approaches the NC line from the smectic-C phase, the tilt angle approaches a nonzero value, but if the AC line is approached, the tilt angle vanishes according to the distance to the AC line to the power 1/2.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of 4-methoxyphenyl 4′- n -alkoxy-2′,3′,5′,6′-tetrafluorobiphenyl-1-carboxylates

A novel type of 4-methoxyphenyl 4′-n-alkoxy-2′,3′,5′,6′-tetrafluorobiphenyl-1-carboxylates have been synthesized. Textural observations by polarizing microscopy and DSC measurements of the phase transitions show that all of these compounds are thermotropic liquid crystals with only a nematic mesophase. The relationship between the properties and chemical structures of these compounds is discussed.     

Synthesis of porphyrinyl-nucleosides

Several porphyrinyl-nucleosides were prepared in the reaction of the OH group of one, two or four meso-p-hydroxyphenyl substituents of porphyrin with 5′-O-tosylates of 2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-adenosine or -uridine, or 5′-O-tosylthymidine; the remaining porphyrin meso-substituents were p-tolyl, p-hydroxyphenyl or 4-pyridyl. The following porphyrinyl-nucleosides were obtained with 8–17% yield: meso-di(p-tolyl)di(p-phenylene-5′-O-2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-adenosine) (or -uridine)porphyrins 1,2 , the respective meso-tetranucleosideporphyrins 3,4 -meso-mono(p-phenylene-5′-O-thymidine)porphyrins 5–7 , meso-di(p-tolyl)di(p-phenylene-5′-O-thymidine)porphyrins 8,9 and the meso-di(p-hydroxyphenyl)di(p-phenylene-5′-O-thymidine)porphyrins 10. Other compounds prepared belonged to the series: meso(4-pyridyl)_4?n(p-phenylene-5′-O-2′,3′-O-isopropylideneuridine)_nporphyrin, n = 1, 2 or 4, 11–13. N-Methylation gave the water soluble iodide salts: (N-methyl-4-pyridinium)4_4?n(p-phenylene-5′-O-2′,3′-isopropylideneuridine)_nporphyrins, n = 1, 2 or 4, 14–16. The ms fab showed in most cases stepwise detachment of the CH₂(5′)-nucleoside fragments. The porphyrins meso disubstituted by thymidine represent a convenient substrate for the build-up of both nucleoside units into the oligo/polynucleotide chains.     

Influence of the lateral alkoxy chain length on the gas chromatographic properties of five liquid crystals

The gas Chromatographic properties of five laterally substituted liquid crystals are the subject of a comparative study. These liquid crystals belong to the homologous series: 2-alkoxy-3-methyl-4-(4-ethoxybenzoyl-oxy)-4′-(4-trans-n-pentyclcyclohexanecarboxyloxy) azobenzene, referred to as ALn, where n, the carbon number in the lateral alkoxy chain, is equal to 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 carbon atoms. Their thermal properties were established by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It appears that the introduction of a lateral alkoxy chain affects the nematic temperature range which decreases when the carbon number increases. The chromatographic separation abilities of AL4, AL6, AL8, AL10, and AL12 were studied using capillary glass columns. The five liquid cystals are efficient before and after solid-nematic or nematic-liquid transitions; however, the plate numbers are higher in the nematic state. Interesting analytical properties were noted in various fields: iisomeric separation of alkanes, aromatics, polyaromatics, volatile aroma compounds, and cis and trans isomers. However, the chain length does not exert any great influence on the separation abilities.     

Dielectric studies on binary mixtures of systems exhibiting intermediate nematic phase

Two binary phase diagrams of the liquid crystals (4-n-pentylphenyl-4-n-hexyloxybenzoate (PPHB) with 4-nitrophenyl-4-n-pentylbenzoate (NPPB) and 4-n-hexyloxyphenyl-4-n-decyloxybenzoate (HPDB) with NPPB) have been studied. PPHB shows only a nematic phase where as for HPDB trimorphism, with the SmC, SmA and nematic phases, was observed. Substance NPPB which has a strong polar nitro group is non-mesogenic one. Both the phase diagrams show an induction and stabilization of SmA phase and appearance of the nematic state in the high concentration range of polar component. The dielectric measurements confirm the phase transition temperatures and show changes in the short range interaction at the phase transitions.     

Calculation of the specific heat close to the multicritical and second order phase regions in ND<Subscript>4</Subscript>Cl

We calculated the specific heat C _V of ND₄Cl under the prediction of an Ising model presented here. Our calculated C _V agrees with the experimental C _P data for the multicritical (P = 0.1 MPa) and second order (P = 150 MPa) phase regions in this crystalline system. This agreement is particularly good above T _C 250 K) for the multicritical regime and below T _C 261 K) for the second order phase transition in ND₄Cl. This shows that the observed behaviour of ND₄Cl can be well described by an Ising model close to the phase transitions considered in this crystalline system.     

Density studies in terephthalylidene-bis-p-n-alkylanilines

Abstract

The temperature dependence of density in terephthalylidene-bis-p-n-alkylanilines (TBAA5 and 6) is studied to investigate the phase transitions, associated volume jumps, order of the transitions, estimated pressure dependence of transition temperatures, and pretransitional effects. The compounds exhibit nematic, smectic A, smectic C, smectic F, smectic G and smectic H phases with higher clearing temperatures. The smectic A to smectic C transition, which is a fluctuation induced first order transition in TBAA5, is found to be a second order transition in TBAA5 and 6. The results are discussed in the light of other experimental reports. The estimated pressure dependence of transition temperatures along with the reported experimental P[sbnd]T data are discussed. The N[sbnd]S_A transition is first order in TBAA5 and 6. The studies across other transitions are also discussed.