Surface Tension and Elasticity of Hexagonal Columnar Mesophases

L. Sallen , P. Oswald , J. Géminard , J. Malthête

Using the grain boundary method and from the shape at equilibrium of liquid inclusions, we measured the surface tension and the Wulff plot of the hexagonal-isotropic interface of the lyotropic mixture C12EO6+ water and of the discotic liquid crystal C8HET. We also obtained the energy curve of the symmetric walls of the two systems as a function of the misfit angle of the columns. From their analysis we derive the product KB of the elastic constants of curvature of an isolated column and of compressibility of the hexagonal array. Having measured B mechanically, we then deduce a static estimate of K. In both systems, we find values of K that are compatible with X-ray data.

Domaines: Articles anciens

L. Sallen, P. Oswald, J. Géminard, J. Malthête. Surface Tension and Elasticity of Hexagonal Columnar Mesophases. Journal de Physique II, 1995, 5 (7), pp.937-961. ⟨10.1051/jp2:1995222⟩. ⟨jpa-00248219⟩