Expected and unexpected behavior of the orientational order and dynamics induced by azobenzene solutes in a nematic

We have explored the changes in the phase stability, orientational order and dynamics of the nematic 4-cyano-4-n-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) doped with either the trans or the cis form of different p-azobenzene derivatives using the ESR spin probe technique. In particular, we have studied the effects induced by each of the seven non-mesogenic 4-R-phenylazobenzenes (R = H, F, Br, CH3, CF3, On-Bu, Ot-Bu) at 1% and 7% mole fraction on the order parameter hP2i and on the shift of the nematic–isotropic transition temperature (TNI ), as reported by a nitroxide spin probe, and we have tried to relate them to the solute shape and charge distribution. In all the cases the presence of the azo-derivative causes a depression of TNI , more pronounced for the cis isomers. The dependence of hP2i on the reduced temperature T*= T/TNI remains the same as that of pure 5CB in all trans-doped samples at 1% and 7% and decreases only slightly in the cis at 1%. However, we observe different and in some cases large variations (up to 25%) in hP2i for the cis at 7%, showing solute effects that go beyond the shift in TNI . Surprisingly enough, even at the highest concentration, the probe dynamics appears to be essentially independent of the nature, the configuration and the concentration of the different solutes and very similar to that observed in the pure 5CB.