INFLUENCE OF ELECTRIC FIELDS ON FLUORESCENCE QUENCHING OF CHLOROPHYLL a IN NEMATIC LIQUID CRYSTAL MATRIX

Abstract— An electric field enhances the yield of fluorescence of chlorophyll in a liquid crystal solvent. The presented data suggest that the electric field effect is caused by the decrease in the efficiency of fluorescence quenching by ions. Quenching of each polarized component of fluorescence of chlorophyll molecules oriented by the liquid crystal matrix is different. The relative increase in fluorescence yield due to the applied electric field is stronger for a fluorescence component polarized parallel to the direction of liquid crystal orientation than for the perpendicular component.     

Molecular organization in two-dimensional films of liquid II. Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of a perylene-like dye mixed with liquid crystals having a terminal cyano group crystalline mixtures

Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of a perylene-like compound and its binary mixtures with 4-octyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl (8CB) and 4-pentyl-4"-cyano-p-terphenyl (5CT) have been studied. On the basis of the surface pressure-area isotherms, the molecular organization on the air-water interface has been estimated. Information about the miscibility or the phase separation of components in the binary mixtures has been obtained. The spectroscopic study of the LB films has allowed conclusions to be drawn about the arrangement of the molecules on the quartz slides. The fluorescence spectra of the LB films of the perylene-like compound have revealed the formation of self-aggregates.     

Molecular organization in two-dimensional films of liquid crystalline mixtures III. Langmuir films of binary mixtures of liquid crystal materials with terminal CN o r NCS group

Langmuir films of binary mixtures of the following liquid crystal materials: 4-octyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (8CB) or 4-pentyl-4″-cyano-p-terphenyl (5CT) with 4-(trans-4'-octylcyclohexyl)isothiocyanatobenzene (8CHBT), trans-4-octyl(4′-cyanophenyl)cyclohexane (8PCH) or 4-octyl4′-isothiocyanatobiphenyl (8BT) were investigated. Surface pressure-mean molecular area isotherms were recorded at various mixture compositions. It was found that only liquid crystal materials for which the molecules have a terminal -CN group are able to form a stable monolayer at the air-water interface. Moreover, information about the miscibility or the phase separation of the two components in the mixures was obtained by using the excess area criterion and surface phase rules.     

Dielectric relaxation study of 1-n hexyl-4-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)bicyclo [2,2,2] octane in the nematic and isotropic phases

Dielectric relaxation investigations on the mesogen 1-n-hexyl-4-(4-isothiocyanato-phenyl)bicyclo[2,2,2]octane in the nematic and isotropic phases have been carried out in the frequency region from about 1 kHz to 1 GHz. Two relaxation processes have been observed in both the isotropic and nematic phases, when the measurements of the electric permittivity versus frequency are made parallel to the orientation axis of the liquid crystal. The possible mechanisms responsible for these two processes are discussed. The height of the potential barrier which hinders the rotation of the liquid crystal molecules around the short axis in the nematic state, and the order parameter of the liquid crystal under investigation have been estimated on the basis of the values for the relaxation times in the nematic and isotropic phases.     

Alignment of liquid crystal and dichroic dye molecules in mixed Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films

A study of dichroic dye-liquid crystal mixtures (guest-host systems) in monolayers formed at a gas-liquid interface (Langmuir films) and at a solid surface (Langmuir-Blodgett films) has been made. As a host 4- n -octyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl (8CB) or 4- n -pentyl-4"-cyano- p -terphenyl (5CT) were chosen, while three dichroic azo dyes with various molecular structures were used as guest species. The dyes were added to the liquid crystal matrices at a concentration corresponding to the whole range of molar fractions and the surface pressure-mean molecular area isotherms for Langmuir films were recorded. On the basis of the isotherms, conclusions about the molecular organization and the miscibility of the components in the ultrathin films were drawn. The Langmuir films were transferred onto the quartz plates at surface pressures below the collapse point. The polarized absorption spectra of the Langmuir-Blodgett films were recorded and information about the alignment and intermolecular interactions in the mixtures of the non-amphiphilic dichroic dyes and the liquid crystals with strongly polar terminal groups were obtained.     

Kinetic features of the carbon erosion of a bulk NiCr alloy during the catalytic decomposition of 1,2-dichloroethane

Kinetic features for the carbon erosion (CE) of bulk NiCr alloy (NiCrA, nichrome wire 0.1 mm in diameter) were studied at 450–750°C under conditions of the catalytic decomposition of 1,2-dichloroethane vapor in a reductive atmosphere (H₂). It was found that the CE process takes place more efficiently in the temperature range from 550 to 720°C, leading to the disintegration of the bulk alloy with the formation of a fibrous carbon product. The apparent activation energy of the process was estimated to be 16.8 ± 0.9 kJ/mol. The realization of CE is hampered outside the optimal temperature range because of chlorination (T < 500°C) or blocking of the alloy’s surface by carbonaceous deposits (T > 720°C). The kinetics of the process is characterized by the existence of an induction period, whose duration decreases with an increasing temperature (from 40 min at 550°C to 6 min at 710°C). According to scanning and transmission electron microscopy data, the submicron metallic particles (0.2–0.4 μm) catalyzing the growth of carbon fibers with disordered structure result from the disintegration of the NiCr alloy.     

Catalytic properties of massive iron-subgroup metals in dichloroethane decomposition into carbon products

The formation of nanocarbon materials on massive nickel, nichrome, and some other alloys via the carbide cycle mechanism is reported using 1,2-dichloroethane decomposition as an example. The role of the physical stage of the carbide cycle is elucidated, and massive metal surface activation methods ensuring the realization of this stage are considered. The surface layer of massive nickel or some nickel alloys is most effectively activated by the action of chlorine resulting from the catalytic decomposition of 1,2-dichloroethane. It has been demonstrated by ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectroscopy that the activation of the massive metal surface in 1,2-dichloroethane decomposition to nanocarbon is due to the surface undergoing crystal chemical restructuring. The microstructuring of the surface yields fine Ni particles similar in size (0.2–0.3 μm) and shape, whose FMR spectra are anisotropic and have similar magnetic resonance parameters. Both chlorine-free and chlorinated hydrocarbons decompose over these particles via the carbide cycle mechanism. It is demonstrated that it is possible to design catalytic reactors packed with massive nickel or its alloy. The nanocarbon material obtained in such a reactor will not be contaminated by components of conventional catalyst supports (Al, Mg, etc.). The stable performance temperature of the catalyst will be increased, and this will allow the equilibrium outlet methane concentration to be reduced.