Isotropic to biaxial nematic phase transition in an external magnetic field

Supramolecular Aggregates: Hardness Plus Softness

The properties of supramolecular aggregates cross several disciplines, embracing the sciences of nature and joining theory, experiment, and application. There are few articles centering on the problems of interdisciplinarity, and this paper gives an alternative approach, starting with scientific divulgation, bringing concepts from their origin, to facilitate the access of young scientists to the scientific content. Didactic examples are taken from the experience of the author in changing directions of research due to several circumstances of life (including maternity), starting from the view of a rigorous student of physics and evolving to several subjects in chemistry. The scientific part starts with concepts related to nuclear interactions, using the technique of neutron scattering in reactors, and evolves to research in molecular physics. Finally, it arrives at the academic context, with research in condensed matter physics, with X-ray and other techniques, starting with detergents forming nematic lyotropic liquid crystals and the phase transition sequence of isotropic to nematics to hexagonal. The scientific subjects evolved to biological and bio-inspired liquid crystals, including DNA and also specific lipids and phospholipids in biomimetic membranes. Special attention is given to the question of distribution of matter in these complex systems and the non-trivial connections between biochemistry, structures, auto-aggregation, and biology.

Magnetic Field and Dilution Effects on the Phase Diagrams of Simple Statistical Models for Nematic Biaxial Systems

We use a simple statistical model to investigate the effects of an applied magnetic field and of the dilution of site elements on the phase diagrams of biaxial nematic systems, with an emphasis on the stability of the Landau multicritical point. The statistical lattice model consists of intrinsically biaxial nematogenic units, which interact via a Maier–Saupe potential, and which are characterized by a discrete choice of orientations of the microscopic nematic directors. According to previous calculations at zero field and in the absence of dilution, we regain the well-known sequence of biaxial, uniaxial, and disordered structures as the temperature is increased, and locate the Landau point. We then focus on the topological changes induced in the phase diagram by the application of an external magnetic field, and show that the Landau point is destabilized by the presence of an applied field. On the other hand, in the absence of a field, we show that only a quite strong dilution of nematic sites is capable of destabilizing the Landau point.

Morphologic Properties, Texture Transformations and Optical Refracting Properties: Aqueous Bicomponent Amphiphilic Lyotropic Systems

The mesomorphic, morphologic and optical refracting properties of the bicomponent amphiphilic lyotropic systems have been investigated. Five amphiphiles with various concentration combinations as cationic – cationic, anionic – anionic and cationic – anionic lyotropic mixtures have been used for preparation of lyotropic systems. The mixtures were prepared with a constant (amphiphile1 + amphiphile2)/water concentration ratio. Isotropic lyotropic phase and hexagonal and lamellar lyotropic mesophases have been found in lyotropic systems under investigations. Dynamics of change of the magneto-morphologic properties vs. time, character of the heterophase regions of the mesophase – isotropic liquid phase transitions and temperature dependencies of the optical refracting properties of these bicomponent amphiphilic lyotropic systems have been investigated.

Amphiphile/Water/Decanol Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline System: Study of Thermal States of Anisometric Micelles in Nematic-Calamitic and Nematic-Discotic Mesophases

Structural peculiarities of the rod-like micelles in the nematic-calamitic (NC) and disc-like micelles in the nematic-discotic (ND) lyotropic mesophases have been investigated. Hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide/water/1-decanol ternary lyotropic system was used. Temperature changes of the shapes and anisometricity of the rod-like and disc-like micelles have been estimated. The method of the electrical conductivity anisotropy in the orientational shear flow has been used for these estimations. Sign of the diamagnetic anisotropy of the NC and ND mesophases has been also determined. The rod-like micelles of the NC mesophase were considered as the prolate ellipsoids and the disc-like micelles of the ND mesophase were considered as the oblate ellipsoids.