Phase transition and thermal characterization of induced smectic phases in a ternary mixture.

Two or more multi-component system of didodecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide (DDAB), cholesteryl nonanoate (CN) and ethylene glycol (EG) exhibits an interesting different liquid crystalline cholesteric and induced smectic phases, such as SmA, SmC and SmB, sequentially when the specimen is cooled from its isotropic liquid phase. These phases have been characterized by using optical texture studies. The temperature variations of optical anisotropy, helical pitch measurements and electrical conductivity have been also discussed. XRD results have also been reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]