Low-frequency dilational elasticity of the nematic 4'-pentyl-4-biphenylcarbonitrile (5CB)/water interface.

Axisymmetric oscillating pendant drop shape analysis has been used to study the interfacial rheology of the liquid crystal 4'-pentyl-4-biphenylcarbonitrile (5CB) in water with homeotropic anchoring. Nearly spherical 5CB droplets were subjected to low frequency (1-5 mHz) volume oscillations, and the increase in tension with surface dilation was used to calculate the complex modulus. The droplet interface response is completely elastic, with no relaxations occurring on the experimental time scale. This surprising result is attributed to droplet storage of elastic energy in the form of distorted orientational distributions within the bulk (Frank elasticity) and on the surface (anchoring elasticity).