Dipolar rotor-rotor interactions in a difluorobenzene molecular rotor crystal

Robert D. Horansky, Laura I. Clarke, Erick B. Winston, John C. Price, Steven D. Karlen, Peter D. Jarowski, Rosa Santillan, and Miguel A. Garcia-Garibay
Phys. Rev. B 74, 054306 – Published 31 August 2006

Abstract

In this paper, we characterize the rotational dynamics and observe rotor-rotor interactions within a crystalline, three-dimensional array of dipolar molecular rotors. The rotating portion of each rotor molecule consists of a dipolar fluorine-substituted phenyl group. The phenyl rotors are connected by acetylene linkages to bulky triphenyl methyl groups which are held rigid in the crystal lattice. These custom synthesized rotor molecules allow control over the molecular spacing in the lattice, the dipole strength, and the rotational hindrance, thus permitting formation of systems with rapid thermal rotation and strong dipole-dipole interactions, which is of interest for studying new phases and collective phenomena. Dielectric and H2 NMR spectroscopy measurements are used to map the rotational potential, and to explore the influence of rotor-rotor interactions. Interactions due to dipole-dipole effects are studied using a Monte Carlo simulation, while contributions from steric interactions between rotors are investigated using molecular mechanics methods. Both contributions are needed explain the dielectric spectroscopy results.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
7 More
  • Received 19 January 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.74.054306

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Robert D. Horansky, Laura I. Clarke*, Erick B. Winston, and John C. Price

  • Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA

Steven D. Karlen, Peter D. Jarowski, Rosa Santillan, and Miguel A. Garcia-Garibay

  • Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA

  • *Currently at Department of Physics, North Carolina State University
  • Currently at Departamento de Quimica, Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN Mexico D. F., 07000

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 74, Iss. 5 — 1 August 2006

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×