Structure and Dynamics of Reentrant Nematics: Any Open Questions after Almost 40 Years?

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Marco G. Mazza¹ 

[1] Stranski Lab for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Berlin Institute of Technology, 135-17 Juni Street, Berlin 10623, Germany

关键词: reentrant phase;    nematic;    dynamics;    diffusion;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms12085352

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Liquid crystals have attracted enormous interest because of the variety of their phases and richness of their application. The interplay of general physical symmetries and specific molecular features generates a myriad of different phenomena. A surprising behavior of liquid crystals is the reentrancy of phases as temperature, pressure, or concentration are varied. Here, we review the main experimental facts and the different theoretical scenarios that have guided the understanding of bulk reentrant nematics. Recently, some computer simulations of a system confined to nanoscopic scales have found new dynamical features of the reentrant nematic phase. We discuss this prediction in relation with the available experimental evidence on reentrant nematics and with the dynamics of liquids in strongly confined environments.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.