Computer simulations of adsorbed liquid crystal films

WALL, G. D. and CLEAVER, D. J. (2003). Computer simulations of adsorbed liquid crystal films. Molecular Physics, 101 (8), 1105-1112.

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Abstract

The structures adopted by adsorbed thin films of Gay-Berne particles in the presence of a coexisting vapour phase are investigated by molecular dynamics simulation. The films are adsorbed at a flat substrate which favours planar anchoring, whereas the nematic-vapour interface favours normal alignment. On cooling, a system with a high molecule-substrate interaction strength exhibits substrate-induced planar orientational ordering and considerable stratification is observed in the density profiles. In contrast, a system with weak molecule substrate coupling adopts a director orientation orthogonal to the substrate plane, owing to the increased influence of the nematic-vapour interface. There are significant differences between the structures adopted at the two interfaces, in contrast with the predictions of density functional treatments of such systems.

Item Type:	Article
Research Institute, Centre or Group:	Materials and Engineering Research Institute > Polymers Nanocomposites and Modelling Research Centre > Materials and Fluid Flow Modelling Group
Identification Number:	10.1080/0026897031000068514
Depositing User:	Hilary Ridgway
Date Deposited:	09 Apr 2010 15:05
Last Modified:	29 Sep 2010 10:37
URI:	http://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/1533

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