Mesophase

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-007224",
  "term": "Mesophase",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A state of matter that exhibits properties intermediate between those of an isotropic liquid and a fully ordered crystalline solid. This phase is characterized by a degree of molecular order, such as orientational or positional, but lacks the full three-dimensional periodicity of a crystal. Liquid crystals exist in one or more mesophases, such as nematic, smectic, or cholesteric phases.",
  "subject": "Polymer",
  "see_also": [
    "mesomorphic state"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2002, 74, 493. 'Definitions of basic terms relating to polymer liquid crystals (IUPAC Recommendations 2001)' on page 495 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200274030493)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/mesophase/"
}