On the structure of the Nx phase of symmetric dimers: inferences from NMR

Soft Matter. 2015 Feb 7;11(5):850-5. doi: 10.1039/c4sm02480j.

Abstract

NMR measurements on a selectively deuterated liquid crystal dimer CB-C9-CB, exhibiting two nematic phases, show that the molecules in the lower temperature nematic phase, N(X), experience a chiral environment and are ordered about a uniformly oriented director throughout the macroscopic sample. The results are contrasted with previous interpretations that suggested a twist-bend spatial variation of the director. A structural picture is proposed wherein the molecules are packed into highly correlated chiral assemblies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't