Phase diagram of a liquid crystal siloxane polymer at air water interface

Abstract

We have carried out surface manometry and epifluorescence microscopic studies on a polymeric liquid crystal, siloxane polymer of 1-methyl propyl 4 (4'-hexyloxy benzoyloxy) benzoate, n sim 40 at the air water interface. At room temperature, on compression, the usual liquid-expanded (LE) phase transforms to a different structure consisting of small bright domains. On further compression, these join to form striations which in turn change to a melted stripe structure. At 35°C, on compression, the LE phase changes to a new structure which appears as large irregularly shaped bright domains. On cooling, these domains change to the melted stripe structure.