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ABSTRACT
We report on high-resolution calorimetry and small-angle X-ray scattering measurements along the Smectic-A to chiral Smectic-C* phase transition of the liquid crystal 4-(2-methyl butyl) phenyl 4-n-octylbiphenyl-4-carboxylate with dispersed, CoPt nanoparticle-coated reduced-graphene oxide nanosheets. The temperature dependence of heat capacity and smectic layer spacing are obtained in the vicinity of Smectic-A to chiral Smectic-C* phase transition. Though no remarkable pretransitional effects are present, the critical fits show a crossover from mean-field near a tricritical point to classical mean-field compared to pure liquid crystal. The X-ray data yield a dilation of smectic layer thickness, indicating the assembly of graphene oxide nanosheets between the smectic layers.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Acknowledgments
M.L. acknowledges the support of Project P1-0125 of the Slovenian Research Agency. G.C. acknowledges the support of Project CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/16_027/0008465 for Mobility of Researchers under the Operational Programme Research, Development and Education and of Project PE3-1535 implemented within the framework of the Action “Supporting Postdoctoral Researchers.” G.N. and I.L. acknowledge the support of THALES Project of the Operational Strategic Plan “Education and Lifelong Learning”, co-financed by the European Social Fund and the State of Greece.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.