Issue 18, 2020

Role of molecular bend angle and biaxiality in the stabilization of the twist-bend nematic phase

Abstract

What are the prerequisites for acquiring a stable twist-bend nematic phase (NTB)? Addressing this question has led to the synthesis of a vast number of new compounds, concluding each time that the molecule's shape is one of the predominant factors. Inspired by the expanding knowledge of different achiral bent-shaped molecules forming a twist-bend nematic phase, we reinvestigate the interplay between a molecule's bend angle and a molecule's arms molecular biaxiality. Employing our previously developed generalized mean-field model, we explore more obtuse bend angles. We observe direct phase transition sequences between locally biaxial and uniaxial variants of NTB, along with biaxial and uniaxial nematic phases. Additionally, we present a comprehensive overview of how phase diagrams evolve according to alterations in the value of the bend angle and the magnitude of biaxiality.

Graphical abstract: Role of molecular bend angle and biaxiality in the stabilization of the twist-bend nematic phase

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
13 Jän 2020
Accepted
16 Mär 2020
First published
17 Mär 2020

Soft Matter, 2020,16, 4350-4357

Role of molecular bend angle and biaxiality in the stabilization of the twist-bend nematic phase

W. Tomczyk and L. Longa, Soft Matter, 2020, 16, 4350 DOI: 10.1039/D0SM00078G

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements