Physics – Condensed Matter – Soft Condensed Matter
Scientific paper
2007-11-12
Physics
Condensed Matter
Soft Condensed Matter
10 pages, 2 figures, version accepted in Physical Review E
Scientific paper
10.1103/PhysRevE.77.051705
By employing Molecular Dynamics computer simulations, the phase behavior of systems of rodlike particles with varying degree of internal flexibility has been traced from the perfectly rigid rod limit till very flexible particles, and from the high density region till the isotropic phase. From the perfectly rigid rod limit and enhancing the internal flexibility, the range of the smectic A phase is squeezed out by the concomitant action of the scarcely affected crystalline phase at higher density and the nematic phase at lower density, until it disappears. These results confirm the supposition, drawn from previous theoretical, simulational and experimental studies, that the smectic A phase is destabilized by introducing and enhancing the degree of particle internal flexibility. However, no significant changes in the order of nematic--to--smectic A phase transition, which appears always first order, nor in the value of the layer spacing, are observed upon varying the degree of particle internal flexibility. Moreover, no evidence of a columnar phase, which was tought of as a possible superseder of the smectic A phase in flexible rods, has been obtained.
Cinacchi Giorgio
Gaetani Luca de
No associations
LandOfFree
Phase behavior of wormlike rods does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Phase behavior of wormlike rods, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Phase behavior of wormlike rods will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-128552