Phase behavior of semiflexible tangent hard sphere chains

The isotropic–nematic phase transition in semiflexible hard chain fluids is investigated via an Onsager type density functional theory. The angle-dependent excluded volume of two chains required in the theory is obtained via Monte Carlo simulations. The theory predicts an isotropic to nematic phase transition at lower densities than those predicted by previous theories. These results compare favorably with available simulation data.