Excluded Volume Effect on the Nematic Phase of Hard Spherocylinder Fluid in Contact with a Hard Wall

Abstract

The nematic phase of hard spherocylinder fluid in contact with a hard wall is calculated using a density functional theory. A new trial distribution function with explicit consideration of the excluded volume effect between the spherocylinders and the wall is proposed. The new trial function gives a lower surface tension than without the excluded volume effect, but it results in a less-plausible tilted nematic director with respect to the wall.

Keywords:

• Density functional theory
• excluded volume effect
• nematic phase