Supramolecular nature of the nematic-nematic phase transitions of hard boardlike molecules

Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2013 Dec;88(6):062508. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.88.062508. Epub 2013 Dec 18.

Abstract

The phase behavior of hard boardlike biaxial particles of relative dimensions close to the clamitic to discotic crossover is explored by means of Monte Carlo molecular simulations. Transitions between two distinct biaxial nematic phases as well as transitions from a biaxial nematic to a uniaxial Sm-A phase are obtained. The formation of anisotropic supramolecular assemblies is demonstrated and is quantified by means of rotationally invariant pair correlation functions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't