Nematic-isotropic phase coexistence in a Lebwohl–Lasher model binary liquid crystal mixture

Elastic response and phase behavior in binary liquid crystal mixtures

Utilizing density-of-states simulations, we perform a full mapping of the phase behavior and elastic responses of binary liquid crystalline mixtures represented by the multicomponent Lebwohl-Lasher model. Our techniques are able to characterize the complete phase diagram, including nematic-nematic phase separation predicted by mean-field theories, but previously not observed in simulations. Mapping this phase diagram permits detailed study of elastic properties across the miscible nematic region. Importantly, we observe for the first time local phase separation and disordering driven by the application of small linear perturbations near the transition temperature and more significantly through nonlinear stresses. These findings are of key importance in systems of blended nematics which contain particulate inclusions, or are otherwise confined.

Isotropic-nematic phase transition in the Lebwohl-Lasher model from density of states simulations

Density of states Monte Carlo simulations have been performed to study the isotropic-nematic (IN) transition of the Lebwohl-Lasher model for liquid crystals. The IN transition temperature was calculated as a function of system size using expanded ensemble density of states simulations with histogram reweighting. The IN temperature for infinite system size was obtained by extrapolation of three independent measures. A subsequent analysis of the kinetics in the model showed that the transition occurs via spinodal decomposition through aggregation of clusters of liquid crystal molecules.

Fractionation in Gay-Berne liquid crystal mixtures

We present a constant-pressure molecular dynamics simulation study of the phase behavior of binary (50:50) Gay-Berne liquid crystal mixtures consisting of elongated particles with different lengths (LA>LB) and equal diameters. We focus on systems at dense liquid-state conditions. Considering three mixtures characterized by different values of LA(B) and different length ratios q=LB/LA<1, we find complex fluid-fluid phase behavior resulting from the interplay between nematic, smectic-A-type, or smectic-B-type orientational ordering, on the one hand, and demixing into two phases of different composition (fractionation), on the other hand. The driving "forces" of demixing transitions are the temperature and the length ratio. Indeed, in the system characterized by the largest value of q (q=0.86) orientational order occurs already in mixed states, whereas full fractionation is found at q=0.71. The two resulting states are either of type smectic-B-nematic (intermediate temperatures) or smectic-B-smectic-B (low temperatures). In the intermediate case q=0.80 we observe a stepwise ordering and demixing behavior on cooling the system from high temperatures. Moreover, our results show that the stability range of (partially) nematic structures in mixtures of sufficiently small q can be significantly larger than in the pure counterparts, in qualitative agreement with experimental observations.

Expected and Unexpected Behavior of the Orientational Order and Dynamics Induced by Azobenzene Solutes in a Nematic

We have explored the changes in the phase stability, orientational order, and dynamics of the nematic 4-cyano-4'-n-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) doped with either the trans or the cis form of different p-azobenzene derivatives using the ESR spin-probe technique. In particular, we have studied the effects induced by each of the seven nonmesogenic 4-R-phenylazobenzenes (R = H, F, Br, CH3, CF3, On-Bu, Ot-Bu) at 1% and 7% mole fraction on the order parameter <P2> and on the shift of the nematic-isotropic transition temperature (TNI), as reported by a nitroxide spin probe, and we have tried to relate them to the solute shape and charge distribution. In all the cases the presence of the azo-derivative causes a depression of T(NI), more pronounced for the cis isomers. The dependence of <P2> on the reduced temperature T* = T/T(NI) remains the same as that of pure 5CB in all trans-doped samples at 1% and 7% and decreases only slightly in the cis at 1%. However, we observe different and in some cases large variations (up to 25%) in <P2> for the cis at 7%, showing solute effects that go beyond the shift in T(NI). Surprisingly enough, even at the highest concentration, the probe dynamics appears to be essentially independent of the nature, the configuration, and the concentration of the different solutes and very similar to that observed in the pure 5CB.