Mesophase, definition

Polymeric material that, under suitable conditions of temperature, pressure, and concentration, exists as a liquid-crystalline mesophase (Definition 6.1 in Chapter 7). 

The definition of the extent of mesophase and the evaluation of its radius r, is again based on the thermodynamic principle, introduced by Lipatov 11), and on measurements of the heat-capacity jumps AC and ACf, of the matrix material (AC ) and the fiber-composites (ACP) with different fiber-volume contents. These jumps appear at the glass-transition temperatures Tgc of the composites and they are intimately related, as it has been explained with particulates, to the volume fraction of the mesophase. 

Navard and Haudin studied the thermal behavior of HPC mesophases (87.88) as did Werbowyj and Gray (2), Seurin et al. (Sp and, as noted above, Conio et al. (43). In summary, HjPC in H2O exhibits a unique phase behavior characterized by reversible transitions at constant temperatures above 40 C and at constant compositions when the HPC concentration is above ca. 40%. A definitive paper has been recently published by Fortin and Charlet ( who studied the phase-separation temperatures for aqueous solutions of HPC using carefully fractionated HPC samples. They showed the polymer-solvent interaction differs in tiie cholesteric phase (ordered molecular arrangement) from that in the isotropic phase (random molecular arrangement). 

Mesophase that is thermodynamically stable over a definite temperature or pressure range. Note The range of thermal stability of an enantiotropic mesophase is limited by the melting point and the clearing point of an LC compound or by any two successive mesophase transitions. 

Note 5 Tilted smectic mesophases formed by chiral compounds or containing chiral mixtures are designated by the superindex (SmC, SmF, etc.). (See, for example. Definition 3.1.5.1.3.)... 

Note 4 The tilt direction varies in a random manner from layer to layer in conventional smectic C mesophases. However it can alternate from layer to layer, as in an antiferro-electric chiral smectic C mesophase (see Definition 5.9, Note 7) and in the smectic C mesophase formed by certain liquid crystal dimers with an odd-number of carbon atoms in the spacers. The recommended symbol for this type of mesophase is SmCa. 

Note 1 The mesophase formerly designated as smectic D (see Definition 3.1.5, Note 3) belongs to this class. 

Note Depending on the order in the molecular stacking in the columns and the two-dimensional lattice symmetry of the columnar packing, the columnar mesophases may be classified into three major classes hexagonal, rectangular and oblique (see Definitions 3.2.2.1. to 3.2.2.3). 

Note 5 A biaxial nematic has the same structure as a disordered sanidic mesophase (see Definition 3.4, Note 2) it is recommended that the latter name be discontinued and the name biaxial nematic be used. 

Note 2 Short board-like shaped molecules usually form biaxial nematic mesophases. It is recommended that the use of the term disordered sanidic mesophases for such mesophases be discontinued (see Definition 3.3.1, Note 5). 

Note 1 See 3.1.1 for the definition of a uniaxial nematic mesophase, 5.8.1 for the definition of uniaxial mesophase anisotropy, and Definitions 3.3 and 5.8.2 relating to biaxial mesophases. 

With the prineipal phase axes, corresponding to the three directors /, m, and n (see Definition 3.3, Note 1) labelled X, Y, and Z such that >Xxx Xyy the major biaxial mesophase anisotropy,, is defined by... 

The term meso will be used to describe local chain organizations that occur within the nano- and microscale regions (Figure 18.2). While the terms mesophase and mesoregions have been employed in describing order within liquid crystals, the definition will be... 

Thus, varying thermodynamic quality of the solvent (by the use of various solvents and their mixtures or varying the temperature) one may appreciably affect the extent of inter- and/or intramolecular aggregation of the side groups. This, in turn, may definitely influence the formation of supermolecular organization of the mesophase in bulk polymeric samples. 

Thin films of the solutions between microscope slides were sheared by applying even pressure on a coverslip while sliding it approximately one cm. The anisotropy appeared to increase as measured by increases in the birefiingence. Solutions containing 10-16% (w/w) cellulose developed a threaded texture and the mesophases were stable with time and oriented in the direction of shear. These observations, while not definitive, suggested a cholesteric to nematic transition occurred on shearing. 

The most common definition of a microemulsion characterises it as a thermodynamically stable, transparent, optically isotropic, freely flowing surfactant mixture, often containing co-surfactants (e.g. alcohol) and added salts [37]. We restrict the definition further to non-crystalline (disordered) aggregates, since crystalline isotropic phases are better considered as liquid crystalline mesophases. Indeed, the most succinct description of a microemulsion would involve its microstructure. However, this has proven to be a very equivocal issue. So much so that until very recently it was widely believed that microemulsions were devoid of microstructure hence the thermod)mamic definition. 

---