Rich polymorphism of a rod-like liquid crystal (8CB) confined in two types of unidirectional nanopores.
We present a neutron and X-rays scattering study of the phase transitions of 4-n-octyl-4' -cyanobiphenyl (8CB) confined in unidirectional nanopores of porous alumina and porous silicon (PSi) membranes with an average diameter of 30 nm. Spatial confinement reveals a rich polymorphism, with at least four different low temperature phases in addition to the smectic A phase. The structural study as a function of thermal treatments and conditions of spatial confinement allows us to get insights into the formation of these phases and their relative stability. It gives the first description of the complete phase behavior of 8CB confined in PSi and provides a direct comparison with results obtained in bulk conditions and in similar geometric conditions of confinement but with reduced quenched disorder effects using alumina anopore membranes.
Institut de Physique de Rennes, CNRS-UMR 6251, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France.
R
R
Guégan
D
D
Morineau
R
R
Lefort
W
W
Béziel
M
M
Guendouz
L
L
Noirez
A
A
Henschel
P
P
Huber
D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D033363:Neutron Diffraction; D044367:Phase Transition; D016062:Porosity; D053838:Scattering, Small Angle; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D012825:Silicon