Theory of phase transitions in the assembly of biaxial molecules interacting via dispersion forces II: on phase transitions of flexible molecules

Abstract

Previously, I investigated phase transitions in an assembly of biaxial molecules interacting via dispersion forces. Consequently, a uniaxial and two biaxial nematic phases, as well as a disco-nematic phase, were reported to appear in such an assembly of biaxial molecules. However, the investigation was performed at limited points in the space of anisotropy parameters ɛ_x and ɛ_y. In the present study, phase transitions at all points in the space of anisotropy parameters are investigated because understanding phase transitions in a system of flexible molecules, whose shape and/or anisotropy of molecular interaction change with temperature or density, is valuable and important.

Keywords:

• Biaxial molecules
• phase transitions of flexible molecules

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Dr. H. Kimura and Dr. H. Nakano, who have since passed away, for their encouragement and guidance over the years. I would also like to thank Editage (www.editage.jp) for their English language editing services.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.