Phase separation and disorder in doped nematic elastomers

Eur Phys J E Soft Matter. 2013 Oct;36(10):121. doi: 10.1140/epje/i2013-13121-1. Epub 2013 Oct 28.

Abstract

We formulate and analyse a model describing the combined effect of mechanical deformation, dynamics of the nematic order parameter, and concentration inhomogeneities in an elastomeric mixture of a mesogenic and an isotropic component. The uniform nematic state may exhibit a long-wave instability corresponding to nematic-isotropic demixing. Numerical simulations starting from either a perfectly ordered nematic state or a quenched isotropic state show that coupling between the mesogen concentration and the nematic order parameter influences the shape and orientation of the domains formed during the demixing process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Elastomers / chemistry*
  • Liquid Crystals / chemistry

Substances

  • Elastomers