Small angle neutron scattering on n-cyano-3-fluorophenyl 4-butylbenzoates (n = 4,6,8) liquid crystals in mesoporous AAO membranes. A feasibility study.

Three mesogenic compounds: n-cyano-3-fluorophenyl 4-butylbenzoates (n = 4,6,8), abbreviated 4CFPB, 6CFPB, and 8CFPB contained in mesoporous Anodic Aluminium Oxide (AAO) membranes were subjected to Small Angle Neutron Scattering measurements with the aim to test the feasibility of SANS experiment as a means of detecting a boundary layer and estimating its thickness. This proved successful for 4CFB and 6CFPB in 18 nm pores, and indicative in 35 nm pores. The thickness of the boundary layer was estimated by core-shell SANS models at ca. 23–26 Å (2.3–2.6 nm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]