The Dielectric Properties of Nematic Liquid Crystal, 5CB Confined to Treated and Untreated Anopore Membranes

Abstract

In recent years a substantial amount of research has been devoted under - standing of anchoring and ordering mechanisms of liquid crystal molecules near solid surfaces. The interaction of a liquid crystalline compound with a solid surface depends on the nature of both the surface and liquid crystal material. The dielectric measurements in untreated Anopore membranes confirm the planar axial order of nematic molecules; in membranes treated by decanoic acid, a polar-radial or polar - polar orientation of the molecules is very likely, although a slight escaped director structure at least at low temperatures seems to be indicated in the dielectric data.