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Title: Thermotropic Uniaxial and Biaxial Nematic and Smectic Phases in Bent-Core Mesogens

Journal Article · · J. Am. Chem. Soc.
OSTI ID:1008611

Two azo substituted achiral bent-core mesogens have been synthesized. Optical polarizing microscopy and synchrotron X-ray scattering studies of both compounds reveal the existence of the thermotropic uniaxial and biaxial nematic and three smectic phases at different temperatures in these single component small molecule systems. The transition from the uniaxial to biaxial nematic phase is confirmed to be second order. The transitions from the biaxial nematic to the underlying smectic phase and between the smectic phases have barely discernible heat capacity signatures and thus are also second order.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
1008611
Journal Information:
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 127, Issue (49) ; 11, 2005; ISSN 0002-7863
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH