Pint C.L., Roth M.W., Wexler C.
University of Northern Iowa, US
Keywords: adsorption, n-alkanes
We study the transition mechanisms in submonolayer, monolayer, and supermonolayer hexane adsorbed onto graphite, and find that the driving mechanism for the nematic (liquid crystal) phase observed is out-of-plane tilting caused by molecular in-plane rolling, and that the mechanism for the nematic-to-fluid phase transition is a combition of primarily a “tilt-lock” mechanism accompanied by a small amount of intramolecular gauche defects. We find that in-plane room for this system is paramount to understanding these phases, and believe that our understanding of the effects of in-plane room can be applied to other nanoscale systems.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Technical Proceedings of the 2005 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 2
Published: May 8, 2005
Pages: 365 - 368
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topics: Advanced Materials for Engineering Applications, Coatings, Surfaces & Membranes
ISBN: 0-9767985-1-4