Studies on binary mixtures of 4-pentyloxy-4′-cyanobiphenyl with three 4, 4′-di(alkoxy)azoxybenzenes

Abstract

AbstractEighteen binary mixtures of 4-pentyloxy-4′-cyanobiphenyl (5OCB) and 4, 4′-di(alkoxy)azoxybenzenes (nOAB) with n = 5, 6, and 7 at different concentrations have been studied in detail. Over a wide concentration range, induced SmA phase was observed in all the mixtures except in one. In most of the mixtures, the refractive indices no, ne, and Δn lie between the values of pure components. The optical birefringence of the mixtures is found to decrease non-additively with concentration. The molecular polarizability anisotropy and the orientational order parameter <P2> of the mixtures were calculated. Nature of variation of polarizability anisotropy with concentration is similar to that of Δn. In allmixtures <P2> is more in smectic phase than in nematic phase and it also shows non-additive behaviour. Observed <P2> values of the mixtures were compared with McMillan’s and Maier-Saupe theoretical values and good agreement is found in some mixtures. The transition temperatures obtained by fitting <P2> data to McMillan’s theory agree with the observed values within a few degrees. Ratio of elastic constants K33 and K11 is determined for mixtures having nematic phase and found to diverge at TNA transition point.