On the structure of the Nx phase of symmetric dimers: inferences from NMR
December 19th, 2014
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Anke Hoffmann, Alexandros G. Vanakaras, Alexandra Kohlemeir, Georg H. Mehl and Demetri J. PhotinosSoft Matter, 11, 850-855, 2015. DOI: 10.1039/C4SM02480J (download: )
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, NX, 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.
Categories: 2014, A. G. Vanakaras, D.J. Photinos, Paper