Alignment transition driven by adsorption in a nematic liquid crystal forming H-bonds

Abstract

We have found that some nematic liquid crystals whose molecules from H-bonds, namely trans-4-alkylcyclohexanecarboxylic acids, undergo a new type of alignment transition on silicon-monoxide-coated glass plates exposed to dry air. We argue that it is caused by the adsorption of the acid monomers and discuss the result on the basis of Fowler's theory.