Generalized van der Waals theory for phase behavior of two-dimensional nematic liquid crystals: Phase ordering and the equation of state

Abstract

Liquid crystalline ordering of anisotropic particles in two dimensions is important in many physical and biological systems and their phase behavior is still a topic of interest. A generalized van der Waals theory is formulated, accounting for repulsive excluded volume and attractive van der Waals and Maier-Saupe interactions, for rectangles confined to two dimensions. The phase ordering transitions and equation of state are analyzed as a function of the model parameters (aspect ratioL/B and isotropic and anisotropic interaction parameters χ and ν). Different phase transitions are observed: Continuous isotropic-nematic (high L/B and ν), first-order isotropic-nematic (intermediate L/B and small ν), and continuous isotropic-tetratic (small L/B and ν) followed by a continuous tetratic-nematic transition at higher densities. Increasing L/B decreases the pressure, and this effect is more pronounced in the nematic than in the isotropic phase. Increasing both interaction parameters decreases pressure and can lead to phase separation.