Critical behavior at the nematic-smectic-A phase transition in liquid crystal mixtures of bent-shaped and rod-like molecules

Abstract

We report intensive calorimetric studies on the liquid crystal mixtures formed of bent-shaped molecules (BC12) and rod-like molecules (9OCB) using a high-resolution ac calorimetry and a high sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry. The magnitude of the heat anomaly associated with the nematic-smectic-A phase transition sharply decreases and, moreover, a first-order nature disappears with the increase of bent-core molecules. The effect of bent-core molecules on the critical exponent is examined.