Abnormal Behavior of the Activation Energy of a Nematic Liquid Crystal in Nonpolar Solvent Benzene

Shyamal K Kudu

Published on: 2023-05-23

Abstract

Temperature and frequency dependent dielectric measurements were performed for investigating the phase transition and the dynamics in 5CB liquid crystal in benzene. In both nematic and isotropic phases, two relaxation processes reflecting rotations around the short and long molecule axes were found. Because of the substantial limitations in the crystalline phase, the shorter relaxation time gained in the crystalline phase is larger than that achieved in the nematic phase. Surprisingly, aberrant isotropic phase behavior was detected, indicating the presence of local structure in the mixture. Significant variation in the activation energy was also observed.