Density minimum in the isotropic-nematic transition of hard cut-spheres

Rui P.S. Fartaria, M.B. Sweatman

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14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We study the isotropic-nematic transition of hard cut-spheres over a wide range of aspect ratios using Monte Carlo simulation and umbrella sampling. We find a minimum in the density of both coexisting phases near to L/D=0.04 (thickness/diameter) and show that this minimum is a result of competition between the solid volume of the disks and the free volume which is significantly influenced by nematic pre-ordering in the isotropic phase. We expect similar behaviour for other kinds of discotic particles. This behaviour should be observed as a kind of 'partially re-entrant' isotropic phase for discotic mesogens within an appropriate concentration range.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)150-154
Number of pages5
JournalChemical Physics Letters
Volume478
Issue number4-6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Aug 2009

Keywords

  • density
  • isotropic-nematic transition
  • hard cut-spheres
  • chemical engineering

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