Isotropic-nematic transition of hard rods immersed in random sphere matrices.
Using replica density functional theory and Monte Carlo computer simulations we investigate a system of annealed hard spherocylinders adsorbed in a matrix of quenched hard spheres. Theoretical predictions for the partition coefficient, defined as the ratio of density of rods in the matrix and that in a reservoir, agree well with simulation results. Theory predicts the isotropic-nematic transition to remain first order upon increasing sphere packing fraction, and to shift towards lower rod densities. This scenario is consistent with our simulation results that clearly show a jump in the nematic order parameter upon increasing the rod density at constant matrix packing fraction, corresponding to the isotropic-nematic transition, even for sphere matrix packing fractions < or approximately equal to 0.3.
Schmidt
Matthias
M
Debye Institute, Soft Condensed Matter Group, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Dijkstra
Marjolein
M