Interfacial and Temperature Gradient Effects On Thermal Conductivity of a Liqluid Crystal

Abstract

Abstract Thermal conductivity measurements were carried out on nematic p-azoxyanisole (commercial grade as will as purified PAA) with a steady state, cone and plate variable gap, non-flow cell. Cell gaps were varied from 0.5 to 200°C/cm. Effective thermal conductivity vaule increased progressively with decrease in gap and for the purified sample, it was about 12% higher at the lowest gap studied compared to the value at the largest gap studied and gradually decreased with increasing temperature gradient at each gap. A qualitiative interpretation of the result is given with a discussion of the still unresolved problems.