Free volume, molecular grains, self-organisation, and anisotropic entropy: machining materials

ABSTRACT

In this article, the relationship between molecular architecture and the formation of twist-bend phases is reviewed under the context of shape dependency. We conclude that the twist-bend phase is a universal phenomenon, which occurs in a wide variety of materials, for dimers through to main chain polymers. In the process, the chemical information on molecular design is effectively lost or irrelevant, and molecular topology takes precedence over electrostatic interactions in mesophase formation. As a consequence of this macro-scale material, engineering by shape alone becomes a possibility, potentially more phases may be realised, and entropy is anisotropic.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Anisotropic entropy
• molecular grains
• dense packing
• nano/macro crossover

Acknowledgements

I would like to give my gratitude to Drs Cowling, Saez, Moore, Mandle, Davis and Sims for their continual support, their inputs into our developing ideas, and their numerous discussions. I am also indebted to the EPSRC for its continued support of my research through the following grants, EP/J007714/1, EP/K039660/1 and EP/M020584/1. I am also grateful to Prof CT Imrie and Dr SJ Cowling for arranging the publication of this compilation of articles.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

The author is indebted to the EPSRC for its continued support of my research through the following grants: EP/J007714/1, EP/K039660/1 and EP/M020584/1.