Can elemental bismuth be a liquid crystal?

TL;DR

This paper investigates whether elemental bismuth can exhibit liquid crystal phases, discussing historical evidence of orientational order in molten Bi and proposing further experiments to explore this possibility.

Contribution

It highlights historical experimental evidence of directional order in molten bismuth and suggests that liquid crystal phases may exist in elemental bismuth.

Findings

Evidence of long-range orientational order in molten Bi

First-order liquid-liquid transition at 1010K

Need for further experimental verification

Abstract

A number of anomalies have been reported in molten Bi, including a first-order liquid-liquid transition at 1010K and ambient pressure, which is irreversible at cooling rates of several degrees per minute. An interpretation of these effects as due to long-range orientational order is suggested. Significant evidence for directionality in liquid Bi, albeit only immediately after melting, is available in experiments made circa 1930. Further experimentation is called for.