On the structure of the Nx phase of symmetric dimers: inferences from NMR.

Hoffmann, Anke; Vanakaras, Alexandros G; Kohlmeier, Alexandra; Mehl, Georg H; Photinos, Demetri J · Soft Matter · 2015

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

NMR measurements on a selectively deuterated liquid crystal dimer CB-C9-CB, exhibiting two nematic phases, show that the molecules in the lower temperature nematic phase, N(X), experience a chiral environment and are ordered about a uniformly oriented director throughout the macroscopic sample. The results are contrasted with previous interpretations that suggested a twist-bend spatial variation of the director. A structural picture is proposed wherein the molecules are packed into highly correlated chiral assemblies.