INTERFACIAL AND ELECTRICAL EFFECTS ON THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF NEMATIC LIQUID CRYSTALS

The thermal conductivity of nematic p-azoxyanisole, as determined by a hot-wire probe method, is higher near the wire-liquid interface than in the bulk of the liquid. An electric field in the direction of heat conduction also produces higher thermal conductivity. The effect of the field is not so strong in the opposite direction. The thickness of the layer of higher thermal conductivity around the probe appears to be 10 to 20 microns with no electric field, but considerably larger with applied fields. These phenomena are interpreted as evidence that the thermal conductivity of liquid crystals is anisotropic. A qualitative model is advanced to explain the results. © 1968, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.