Abstract
We have performed an atomistic molecular-dynamics study on the molecular organization and liquid-crystalline properties of quinquephenyl (P5), a prototypical mesogen that is of interest for organic electronics. The thermotropic behavior reveals different mesophases. When cooling down from the isotropic phase, a transition to nematic (≈715 K) is found, then a smectic SA (≈657 K) and another smectic, SAX (≈642 K), before a crystalline phase is recovered (≈617 K). This phase sequence is compared with experimental findings. The different phases are described in terms of their molecular organization, orientational and positional order parameters, and pair distribution functions, as well as of their dynamics properties. In particular, the smectic phases that have not yet been characterized experimentally are discussed. By analyzing the effective shape of P5, it is concluded that its internal torsions and bending make it less rigid than could be expected. Not so rigid or straight after all! The nematic-isotropic and the other transition temperatures of p-quinquephenyl are determined by using atomistic molecular-dynamics simulations. The rigidity of p-quinquephenyl, often taken for granted, is assessed, and an aspect ratio that changes with temperature is found. The distribution is relatively broad due to internal torsion and bending.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1345-1355 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | ChemPhysChem |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 19 May 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- atomistic molecular dynamics
- molecular rigidity
- nematics
- oligophenyls
- phase transitions