Stable smectic phase in suspensions of polydisperse colloidal platelets with identical thickness.
We report the nematic and smectic ordering in an aqueous suspension of monolayer alpha -Zirconium phosphate platelets possessing a high polydispersity in diameter but uniform thickness. We observe an isotropic-nematic transition as the platelet volume fraction increases, followed by the formation of a smectic, an elusive phase that has been rarely seen in discotic liquid crystals. The smectic phase is characterized by x-ray diffraction high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and optical microscopy. The phase equilibria in this highly polydisperse suspension are rationalized in terms of a theoretical approach based on density-functional theory.
Sun
Dazhi
D
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.
Sue
Hung-Jue
HJ
Cheng
Zhengdong
Z
Martínez-Ratón
Yuri
Y
Velasco
Enrique
E