Τίτλος:
Impact of weak nanoparticle induced disorder on nematic ordering
Γλώσσες Τεκμηρίου:
Αγγλικά
Περίληψη:
Dilute mixtures of nanoparticles (NPs) and nematic liquid crystals (LCs) are considered. We focus on cases where NPs enforce a relatively weak disorder to the LC host. We use a Lebwohl-Lasher semi-microscopic-type modeling where we assume that NPs effectively act as a spatially-dependent external field on nematic spins. The orientational distribution of locally favoured “easy” orientations is described by a probabilistic distribution function P. By means of a mean field-type approach, we derive a self-consistent equation for the average degree of nematic uniaxial order parameter S as a function of the concentration p of NPs, NP-LC coupling strength and P. Using a simple step-like probability distribution shape, we obtain the S(p) dependence displaying a crossover behaviour between two different regimes which is in line with recent experimental observations. We also discuss a possible origin of commonly observed non-monotonous variations of the nematic-isotropic phase temperature coexistence width on varying p. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Συγγραφείς:
Črešnar, D.
Kyrou, C.
Lelidis, I.
Drozd-Rzoska, A.
Starzonek, S.
Rzoska, S.J.
Kutnjak, Z.
Kralj, S.
Περιοδικό:
Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals
DOI:
10.3390/cryst9030171
