Water Flux Induced Reorientation of Liquid Crystals.

ABSTRACT: It is well understood that the adsorption of solutes at the interface between a bulk liquid crystal phase and an aqueous phase can lead to orientational or anchoring transitions. A different principle is introduced here, whereby a transient reorientation of a thermotropic liquid crystal is triggered by a spontaneous flux of water across the interface. A critical water flux can be generated by the addition of an electrolyte to the bulk aqueous phase, leading to a change in the solvent activity; water is then transported through the liquid crystal phase and across the interface. The magnitude of the spontaneous water flux can be controlled by the concentration and type of solutes, as well as the rate of salt addition. These results present new, previously unappreciated fundamental principles

SUBMITTER: Ramezani-Dakhel H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5746861 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature