Model of organization of the epitropic liquid phase

We propose a molecular-statistical model of organization of the epitropic liquid-crystal phase, according to which the presence of fluctuation associates in the bulk of the liquid and active (adsorption) centers on the solid substrate is essential for the formation of this phase. Using this model, it is possible to describe the experimental temperature dependence of the thickness of the epitropic liquid-crystal layer of nitrobenzene on quartz. Quantitative agreement between the theory and experiment is reached in the close proximity ($\sim$ 10 K) of the crystallization temperature. Important thermodynamic parameters of the model can be corrected from comparison with experimental results.