Rotator phases of the normal alkanes: An x-ray scattering study

Abstract

We present results of a detailed x-ray scattering study on the rotator phases of normal alkanes: CH3–(CH2)n−2–CH3 (20≤n≤33). We have characterized a new tilted rotator phase and determined the temperature and chain length dependence of the distortion, tilt, and azimuthal order parameters which characterize the time-space averaged structures of the five rotator phases. We have shown that there is no strong even–odd chain length effect on the phase diagram within the rotator phases and have shown the continuity of that phase diagram in the 26-27 carbon vicinity.