Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Dielectric Studies on 4-(Trans-4-Pentyl-Cyclohexyl)-Benzonitrile (PCH-5) Under High Pressure

Abstract

Abstract The phase diagram of 4-(trans-4-pentyl-cyclohexyl)-benzonitrile, PCH-5, was obtained by DTA measurements up to a temperature of 370 K and up to pressures of 260 MPa. Dielectric studies on the static and complex permittivity have been performed on PCH-5 in the pressure range 0.1 – 140 MPa, the frequency range 1 kHz - 13 MHz and the temperature range 311 – 350 K. From the relaxation times in the nematic phase, τ∥ we have calculated the activation volume, Δ*V∥ of about 70 cm3/mol (decreasing with increasing temperature). and the activation enthalpy, δ‡Hρ, of approximately 70 kJ/mol. The pressure dependence of Δ*V∥ is weaker than that found recently for 5CB. We have also calculated the (isochoric) activation energy of about 40 kJ/mol. The low-frequency relaxation process connected with molecular rotations about the short molecular axis was analysed in terms of the Martin-Meier-Saupe theory, yielding q = 10 kJ/mol for the nematic potential. The results are compared with recent high pressure results on 4-n-alkyl-4'-cyanobi-phenyls.