Molecular ordering in a bipolar nematogenic cyanobiphenyl – a computer simulation approach

The molecular ordering of 4-(6-hydroxypropyloxy)-4′-cyanobiphenyl (H3CBP), a bipolar nematogen, has been carried out at room temperature (300 K) with respect to translatory and orientational motions. The complete neglect differential overlap (CNDO/2) method has been employed to compute the net atomic charge and atomic dipole moment at each atomic center. The modified Rayleigh–Schrodinger perturbation theory with multicentered-multipole expansion method has been employed to evaluate long-range intermolecular interactions, while a 6-exp potential function has been assumed for short-range interactions. The interaction energy values obtained through these computations were used to calculate the probability of each configuration at room temperature using the Maxwell–Boltzmann formula. On the basis of stacking, in-plane, and terminal interactions energy calculations, all possible geometrical arrangements of the molecular pair have been considered. Further, an attempt has been made to develop a model for liquid crystallinity based on probability of dimer complexes.     

Theoretical study on liquid crystal cyanobiphenyls: Phase stability and phase behavior

This article presents a theoretical study on liquid crystalline materials in homologous series of 4'-n-alkyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (nCB) with propyl (3CB), pentyl (5CB), and heptyl (7CB) groups. The atomic net charge and dipole moment components at each atomic center have been evaluated using the complete neglect differential overlap (CNDO/2) method. The modified Rayleigh–Schrodinger perturbation theory along with the multicentered-multipole expansion method has been employed to evaluate the long-range intermolecular interactions, while a ‘6-exp’ potential function has been assumed for short-range interactions. Further, these interaction energy values have been used as input to calculate the translational entropy, and free energy of nCB (n=3, 5, and 7) molecules during the stacking, and in-plane interactions. The observed results have been correlated with the mesogenic behavior and phase stability based on the thermodynamic parameters introduced in this article. Further, an attempt has been made to elucidate the flexibility of a configuration at a particular temperature, which has a direct relation with phase transition property of the molecules.     

Thermodynamic stability and phase behaviour of a liquid crystalline material: a theoretical model at molecular level

This article describes the thermodynamic stability and phase behaviour of a liquid crystalline material p-n-hexyloxybenzylidene-p-toluidine (6OBT) at a molecular level. The atomic net charge and dipole moment at each atomic centre have been evaluated using the complete neglect differential overlap (CNDO/2) method. The modified Rayleigh–Schrodinger perturbation method along with multicentred-multipole expansion method has been employed to evaluate the long-range intermolecular interactions, while a ‘6-exp’ potential function has been assumed for the short-range interactions. The total interaction energy values obtained through these computations have been used to calculate the probability of each configuration at room temperature (300?K), nematic–isotropic transition temperature (346.9?K) and above transition temperature (400?K) using the Maxwell–Boltzmann formula. Further, the Helmholtz free energy and entropy of each configuration has been computed during the different modes of interactions. An attempt has been made to understand the phase behaviour and stability of the molecule based on thermodynamic parameters introduced in this article.     

Theoretical analysis on phase behaviour of a liquid crystalline material – effect of molecular motions

Molecular structure, and phase behaviour of 2-Cyano-N-[4-(4-n-pentyloxybenzoyloxy)-benzylidene] aniline (CPBBA) has been reported with respect to translational and orientational motions. The atomic net charge and dipole moment components at each atomic centre have been evaluated using the complete neglect differential overlap (CNDO/2) method. The modified Rayleigh–Schrodinger perturbation theory along with multicentered–multipole expansion method has been employed to evaluate the long-range intermolecular interactions, while a ‘6-exp’ potential function has been assumed for short-range interactions. The interaction energy values obtained through these computations have been used as input to calculate the configurational probability at room temperature (300 K), and nematic–isotropic transition temperature (396.5 K). On the basis of stacking, in-plane, and terminal interaction energy calculations, all possible geometrical arrangements between the molecular pairs have been considered. Molecular arrangements inside a bulk of materials have been discussed in terms of their relative order. Further, translational rigidity parameter has been estimated as a function of temperature to understand the phase behaviour of the compound. The present model is helpful to understand the effect of molecular motions on ordering, and phase behaviour of the mesogenic compounds.     

Ordering of p‐n‐alkylbenzoic acids (nBAC) having four,five, and six alkyl chain carbon atoms – a computational analysis

A computational analysis of ordering in p‐n‐alkylbenzoic acids, having 4 (4BAC), 5 (5BAC), and 6 (6BAC) alkyl chain carbon atoms, has been carried out based on quantum mechanics and intermolecular forces. The evaluation of atomic charge and dipole moment at each atomic centre has been carried out through an all‐valance electron (CNDO/2) method. The modified Rayleigh‐Schrodinger perturbation theory along with multicentered‐multipole expansion method has been employed to evaluate long‐range intermolecular interactions while a ‘6‐exp’ potential function has been assumed for short‐range interactions. The total interaction energy values obtained through these computations were used to calculate the probability of each configuration at room temperature, nematic‐isotropic transition temperature and above transition temperature using the Maxwell‐Boltzmann formula. A comparative picture of molecular parameters like total energy, binding energy and total dipole moment has been given. A model has been developed to describe the nematogenicity of these acids in terms of their relative order with molecular parameter introduced in this article.     

Phase organization in laterally substituted dicyclohexylethane derivatives—A molecular model for smectogens

The present article deals with the configurational probabilities of smectogens 1, 2-bis (4-pentylcyclohexyl) ethan-1-ol (PCHE1) and 1, 2-bis (4-pentylcyclohexyl) ethan-1-one (PCHE2) with respect to translational and orientational motions. The complete neglect differential overlap (CNDO/2) method has been employed to compute the net atomic charge and atomic dipole moment components at each atomic center. The modified Rayleigh-Schrodinger perturbation theory along with multicentered-multipole expansion method has been employed to evaluate the long-range intermolecular interactions, while a ‘6-exp’ potential function has been assumed for short-range interactions. The total interaction energy values obtained through these computations have been used to calculate the configurational probability at smectic B-isotropic transition temperature using the Maxwell-Boltzmann formula. Molecular arrangements inside a bulk of materials and smectic behavior of the compounds in terms of their relative order have been discussed. Further, a model has been developed at molecular level to understand the effect of translational/rotational rigidity on phase organization and relative flexibility of one configuration over the other.     

Molecular alignment of biphenyl derivatives -a computational analysis

Molecular alignment of some biphenyl derivatives likes 4'-Nitro-2-biphenylamine (NBPA), 4-Acetyl-3'-chlorobiphenyl (ACBP) and 4-Acetyl-3'-florobiphenyl (AFBP) has been examined. The CNDO/2 method has been employed to compute the net atomic charge and atomic dipole-moment components at each atomic centre. Configurational energy has been computed using a modified Rayleigh- Schrodinger perturbation method at an interval of 0.1 A° in translation and 1° in rotation, and corresponding probabilities have been calculated using MB-statistics. A comparative study of molecular parameters like the total energy, the binding energy and the total dipole moment etc., has been made. On the basis of the stacking and the in-plane interaction energy calculations, all the possible geometrical arrangements between molecular pairing have been obtained. The investigation suggests that a strong intermolecular interaction energy between a pair of NBPA molecules, and the specific minimum energy configuration, determines the alignment of molecules with respect to one another. An attempt has been made to correlate the liquid crystalline properties exhibited by this class of molecules, and thereby develop a molecular model for the liquid crystallinity.     

Molecular ordering of Fluoro-Nematogen in a dielectric medium at phase-transition temperature: a statistical–mechanical approach based on computer simulation

A molecular-ordering study of p-phenylene-4-methoxy benzoyl 4-trifluoromethylbenzoate (FLUORO) in a dielectric medium (benzene) has been carried out on the basis of statistical mechanics and computer simulation. The atomic net charge and atomic dipole moment at each atomic centre has been evaluated using the CNDO/2 method. The modified Rayleigh–Schrodinger perturbation theory with multicentered–multipole expansion method has been employed to evaluate the long-range intermolecular interactions, while ‘6-exp’ potential function has been assumed for the short-range interactions. The total interaction energy values obtained through these computations were used to calculate the probability of each configuration in a dielectric medium at the phase-transition temperature (506?K), using the MB-formula. The flexibility of various interacting configurations was studied in terms of variation of probability due to departure from the most probable configuration. It has been observed that in dielectric medium the energies/probabilities are redistributed, and there is considerable rise in the probability of interaction, although the order of preference remains the same. The results are discussed in the light of experimental observations.     

Theoretical study of molecular ordering in liquid crystals with the help of intermolecular interaction energy calculations

A theoretical analysis has been carried out to determine the molecular alignment of some nematic liquid crystals like DPAB (4, 4'-di-n-propoxy-azoxybenzene), EPAB (ethyl para-azoxybenzoate) and PAA (para-azoxyanisole). CNDO/2 method has been employed to evaluate the net atomic charge and atomic dipole components at each atomic centre of the molecules. Configurational energy has been computed using a modified Rayleigh-Schrodinger perturbation method at an interval of 1 Å in translation and 10° in rotation between a pair of DPAB molecules. On the basis of stacking, in-plane and terminal interaction energy calculations, all possible geometrical arrangements between a molecular pair have been considered. A comparative picture of molecular parameters like total energy, binding energy, total dipole moment etc., has been obtained. An attempt has been made to explain the nematogenic behaviour of liquid crystal and thereby develop a molecular model for liquid crystallinity.     

Ordering of Mesogenic Compounds in a Dielectric Medium at the Nematic-Isotropic Transition Temperature - A Comparative Study

A comparative study of molecular ordering of trans-trans-4′-alkylbicyclohexyl-4-carbonitriles (cyclohexylcyclohexanes, CCHs) with alkyl group: propyl (CCH3); pentyl (CCH5); and heptyl (CCH7) has been carried out with respect to translational and orientational motions. The CNDO/2 method has been employed to compute the net atomic charge and atomic dipole moment at each atomic centre. Configurational energy has been computed using the Rayleigh-Schrodinger perturbation method. The total interaction energy values obtained through these computations were used to calculate the probability of each configuration in a dielectric medium (i.e. non-interacting and non-mesogenic solvent, benzene) at the phase transition temperature using the Maxwell-Boltzmann formula. Further, the flexibility of various configurations has been studied in terms of variation of probability due to departure from the most probable configurations. It is observed that, in a dielectric medium, the probabilities are redistributed, although the order of preference remains the same. An attempt has been made to explain the nematogenic behaviour of these mesogenic compounds, and thereby develop a molecular model for the liquid-crystallinity.     

Crystal → nematic phase transition in the liquid crystalline system 1‐isothiocyanato‐4‐(trans‐4‐propylcyclohexyl) benzene (3CHBT) probed by temperature‐dependent micro‐Raman study and DFT calculations

Raman spectra of 3CHBT in unoriented form were recorded at 14 different temperature measurements in the range 25–55 °C, which covers the crystal → nematic (N) phase transition, and the Raman signatures of the phase transition were identified. The wavenumber shifts and linewidth changes of Raman marker bands with varying temperature were determined. The assignments of important vibrational modes of 3CHBT were also made using the experimentally observed Raman and infrared spectra, calculated wavenumbers, and potential energy distribution. The DFT calculations using the B3LYP method employing 6‐31G functional were performed for geometry optimization and vibrational spectra of monomer and dimer of 3CHBT. The analysis of the vibrational bands, especially the variation of their peak position as a function of temperature in two different spectral regions, 1150–1275 cm⁻¹ and 1950–2300 cm⁻¹, is discussed in detail. Both the linewidth and peak position of the ( C H ) in‐plane bending and ν(NCS) modes, which give Raman signatures of the crystal → N phase transition, are discussed in detail. The molecular dynamics of this transition has also been discussed. We propose the co‐existence of two types of dimers, one in parallel and the other in antiparallel arrangement, while going to the nematic phase. The structure of the nematic phase in bulk has also been proposed in terms of these dimers. The red shift of the ν(NCS) band and blue shift of almost all other ring modes show increased intermolecular interaction between the aromatic rings and decreased intermolecular interaction between two  NCS groups in the nematic phase. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study of combined magnetic and electric hyperfine interactions for cadmium in Dysprosium by time differential perturbed angular correlations

The combined magnetic and electric hyperfine interaction at the site of a¹¹¹Cd impurity in magnetically ordered Dysprosium has been investigated as a function of temperature by time differential perturbed angular correlation measurements. Three different phases have been found in metallic Dy with transition temperatures of 85 and 179 °K in agreement with the results of bulk material measurements. In the paramagnetic phase above 179 °K a pure electric quadrupole interaction has been observed. The various contributions to the electric fieldgradient are analyzed and it is shown, that the dominant contribution comes from the conduction electrons. In the ferromagnetic phase which extends from 0 to 85 °K the magnetic hyperfine field at the site of¹¹¹Cd has the same temperature dependence as the spontaneous magnetization. The value of the hyperfine field at 4.2 °K is ¦H _eff¦=(221 ± 4) kG. At 85 °K a transition to the antiferromagnetic phase of Dy occurs, which shows a hysteresis of the transition temperature. In the antiferromagnetic phase the temperature dependence of the hyperfine field deviates considerably from the magnetization curve. It is suggested that this deviation might be due to a temperature dependence of thes-f exchange interaction.     

A new manganese-based single-molecule magnet with a record-high antiferromagnetic phase transition temperature

We perform both dc and ac magnetic measurements on the single crystal of Mn30（Et-sao）3（C104）（MeOH）3 single- molecule magnet （SMM） when the sample is preserved in air for different durations. We find that, during the oxidation process, the sample develops into another SMM with a smaller anisotropy energy barrier and a stronger antiferromagnetic intermolecular exchange interaction. The antiferromagnetic transition temperature observed at 6.65 K in the new SMM is record-high for the antiferromagnetic phase transition in all the known SMMs. Compared to the original SMM, the only apparent change for the new SMM is that each molecule has lost three methyl groups as revealed by four-circle x-ray diffraction （XRD）, which is thought to be the origin of the stronger antiferromagnetic intermolecular exchange interaction.     

A molecular dynamics simulation of tje uniaxial phase of N2 adsorbed on graphite

A computer simulation study of a nitrogen monolayer adsorbed on a graphite substrate at low temperatures is reported. The adsorbed phase was slightly compressed relative to the commensurate √3 × √3 phase. The compression was taken to be uniaxial; i.e. a 5% change in the large intermolecular spacing along a glide line of the oriented herringbone structure (UXI phase). Thermodynamic properties were evaluated together with orientational and translational ordering parameters at two temperatures, one above (≈ 40 K) and one below (≈ 15 K) the in-plane disordering transition. For purposes of comparison, simulations of the commensurate phase at these temperatures are reported, together with a 15 K simulation of a phase that has been uniaxially compressed in the direction perpendicular to that of the UXI phase (UYI phase). The simulations indicate that the UXI phase is stable but the UYI phase tends to transform into domains of UXI; it is also concluded that the compression necessary to form the UXI phase from the commensurate does not produce a significant change in the out-of-plane ordering, at least at the lower temperature, but does bring about changes in the in-plane ordering of these molecules.     

Structure and electrical properties of liquid crystal films grown by the Langmuir technology

Liquid-crystal-based films of different thicknesses, fabricated by the Langmuir technology, have been studied. Previously, we revealed a structural phase transition in these films at a temperature of ～75°C. To clarify the nature of this transition, the temperature dependences of the capacitance and conductance of these films have been investigated. The results obtained indicate that the samples contain a ferroelectric phase, beginning with one monolayer. The film structure imperfection has been revealed using atomic force microscopy, which explains the size of the temperature range in which the phase transition is observed.     

Quantitative atomic force microscopy with carbon monoxide terminated tips

Noncontact atomic force microscopy (AFM) has recently progressed tremendously in achieving atomic resolution imaging through the use of small oscillation amplitudes and well-defined modification of the tip apex. In particular, it has been shown that picking up simple inorganic molecules (such as CO) by the AFM tip leads to a well-defined tip apex and to enhanced image resolution. Here, we use the same approach to study the three-dimensional intermolecular interaction potential between two molecules and focus on the implications of using molecule-modified AFM tips for microscopy and force spectroscopy experiments. The flexibility of the CO at the tip apex complicates the measurement of the intermolecular interaction energy between two CO molecules. Our work establishes the physical limits of measuring intermolecular interactions with scanning probes.     

Water at the interface modified silica filler-polydimethylsiloxane: quantum-chemical modelling

Intermolecular interactions determine the reinforcement of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers by fumed silica, and a water interlayer on the fumed silica/PDMS interface may act as a lubricant, decreasing the interaction energy and promoting the PDMS molecule motion over the filler surface. A quantum-chemical (QCh) modelling has been performed to study a microscopic aspect of water impact on the intermolecular interactions in the system. The results obtained for a series of superclusters simulating fragments of the real silica filler surface, both hydroxylated and silylated, interacting with five-member PDMS oligomer in presence of individual water molecules and of a 'water drop', of several H-bonded water molecules, are in good agreement with results from IGC adsorption experiments.     

Continuous spin-reorientation phase transition in the surface region of an inhomogeneous magnetic film

A continuous spin-reorientation transition from a uniform magnetic state with the in-plane orientation of the moments of all atomic layers to a nonuniform canted state in the surface region is considered. This transition was discovered in experiments on the divergence of magnetic susceptibility in a perpendicular magnetic field at a temperature of about 240 K, which is lower than the Curie point of gadolinium, equal to 292.5 K. These experiments were carried out on an ultrathin iron magnetic film deposited on the (0001) surface of a thin gadolinium film. It is shown that, in the vicinity of the spin-reorientation transition, the thermodynamic potential has a form characteristic of the Landau theory of second-order phase transitions. The orientation angle of the moment of the surface atomic layer with respect to the plane of the film, which is chosen as an order parameter, exhibits anomalous behavior and increases with temperature. Expressions are derived for the magnetic susceptibility of each atomic layer. It is shown that, in the vicinity of the transition, the irregular part of the magnetic susceptibility of each atomic layer exhibits behavior characteristic of the susceptibility in the Landau theory: it is less by a factor of two in the low-symmetry phase and diverges at the transition point. The regular part of the magnetic susceptibility of each atomic layer makes an additional contribution to the asymmetry of the total susceptibility in the vicinity of the transition point; this result follows from the fact that the inhomogeneous magnetic system considered is semi-infinite.     

Specific features of spin-variable properties of [Fe(acen)pic<Subscript>2</Subscript>]BPh<Subscript>4</Subscript> · <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The [Fe(acen)pic₂]BPh₄ · nH₂O compound has been synthesized and studied in the temperature interval of 5–300 K by the methods of EPR and magnetic susceptibility. The existence of ferromagnetic interactions between Fe(III) complexes in this compound has been revealed, in contrast to unhydrated [Fe(acen)pic₂]BPh₄. The reduction in the integrated intensity of the magnetic resonance signal as the temperature decreases below 80 K has been explained by the transition of high-spin ions to the low-spin state. It has been shown that the phase transition temperature in the presence of intermolecular (ferromagnetic) interactions is lower than that in the case of noninteracting centers.     

磁性薄膜自旋重取向行为的Monte Carlo模拟

利用Monte Carlo方法模拟了二维简单立方结构磁性薄膜的自旋重取向行为，重点研究了各向异性和偶极相互作用对系统自旋取向的影响．通过计算，获得了系统的相图以及系统组态、磁分量、比热等随偶极相互作用和温度的变化规律．模拟结果表明，在一定的参数范围内，随着温度的升高，系统的自旋取向将由垂直向平行方向转变。