Terahertz properties of liquid crystals doped with ferroelectric BaTiO3 nanoparticles

In this paper, we present the results of the terahertz measurements of liquid crystal (LC) ferroelectric BaTiO₃ nanoparticles (nps) suspensions in the range of frequency from 0.3 up to 3.0 THz. Two different sol-gel methods and the harvesting technique were used to fabricate the nanoparticles. Five LC materials served as hosts for the suspensions: two single compounds: 6CHBT and 2,3′,5′-trifluoro-4-(4-pentylcyclohexyl)-4′-(trifluoromethoxy)-1,1′-biphenyl, and three mixtures: 1867, 2037 and 2020. We characterise, for the first time, the refractive indices and absorption parameters of suspensions with harvested nps in the terahertz range and show how the process of the nps’ preparation affects their response. We observed the increase of birefringence for few LC suspensions in comparison with the pure LCs. The highest increase of birefringence was for 2020 suspension with one kind of ferroelectric nps. On the other hand in most cases the addition of ferroelectric nps to LC causes the increase of its absorption in the THz range. The measurements of LCs terahertz properties by using time-pulsed spectrometer were performed.     

Synthesis,characterisation and phase transition studies in N-(-4-ethyloxybenzylydene)-4’-alkoxyanilines

Synthesis and characterisation are carried out in N-(-4-ethyloxybenzylidene)-4?-alkoxyanilines, 2O.Om liquid crystalline (LC) compounds with m = 3, 4 and 6–10. All the compounds exhibit monovariant nematic phase except with m = 10; the LC material shows bivariant nematic-smectic-C in addition to the nematic phase. Further, the variation in density with temperature in all these seven compounds is studied. The density and thermal expansion coefficient results reveal that the phase transitions, namely isotropic to nematic and nematic to SmC, present in these compounds show first-order nature as expected and that all the parameters show characteristic change in the vicinity of the phase transformation. The results are discussed in the light of the data available on other nO.Om compounds.     

Synthesis and study the liquid crystalline properties of compounds containing benzoxazole core and terminal vinyl group

Terminal vinyl-based benzoxazole liquid crystalline compounds, 2-(3-fluoro-4?-alkoxy-1,1?-biphenyl ?4-yl)-5-(2-propenyloxymethyl)-benzoxazole (nPPF(2)BP), were synthesised and their structures were confirmed by infrared (IR) spectra, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) spectra, gas chromatography with electron impact-mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and elemental analysis (EA). The compounds show enantiotropic smectic/nematic phases with mesophase ranges are 71–97 °C and 87–136°C on heating and cooling processes for nPPF(2)BP, respectively. They give low melting points due to lateral fluoro substituent and flexible terminal 2-propenyloxymethyl chain. It is found that the compounds nPPF(2)BP with shorter alkoxy chain (n = 3, 4) exhibit a wide range of nematic mesophase, which is ascribed to enhanced π–π interaction caused by terminal vinyl moiety, whereas further elongation of the terminal alkoxy chain results in supressing nematic phase and increasing smectic mesophase. Compared with methyl terminated analogues, 2-propenyloxymethyl terminated compounds nPPF(2)BP display much lower melting points and wider or comparable mesophase range both in heating and cooling.     

Ortho-platinated metallomesogens based on rod mesogenic unit of 2-phenylpyridine derivatives: synthesis,high linearly polarised and phase-state-dependent luminescence

Three series of cyclometalated platinum (II) complexes [(cbC_nppyC₁₆) Pt(acac) (a_n), (cbC_nppyC₁₆)Pt(pic) (b_n) and (cbC_nppyC₁₆)Pt(picd) (c_n)] were obtained, where cbC_nppyC₁₆ (2-(4-hexadecyloxyphenyl)-5-[(1,1?-biphenyl)-4-carbonitrile-4?-alkoxy-methoxyl]pyridine) is as cyclometalated ligand, and Hacac (acetylacetone), Hpic (picolinic acid) and Hpicd (5-[(1,1?-biphenyl)-4-carbonitrile-4?-dodecyloxy]oxy-2-car boxylpyridine) are auxiliary, respectively. The liquid crystalline behaviour, polarised emission, photophysical and phase-state-dependent luminescence properties for all platinum (II) complexes were investigated systematically. Cyclometalated platinum (II) complexes b_n show smectic phase structure; however, a_n and c_n show nematic phase. The platinum (II) complexes exhibit different photoluminescence (PL) behaviour in solution, crystal phase, liquid crystal phase and amorphous thin films. Moreover, these metallomesogens show strongly polarised photouminescence in liquid crystalline phases. Especially, the PL dichroic ratio is up to 24.6 in nenatic phase.     

Sulfur-linked cyanobiphenyl-based liquid crystal dimers and the twist-bend nematic phase

ABSTRACT

The synthesis and characterisation of two series of cyanobiphenyl-based liquid crystal dimers containing sulfur links between the spacer and mesogenic units, the 4?-[1,ω-alkanediylbis(thio)]bis-[1,1?-biphenyl]-4-carbonitriles (CBSnSCB), and 4?-({ω-[(4?-cyano[1,1?-biphenyl]-4-yl)oxy]alkyl}thio)[1,1?-biphenyl]-4-carbonitriles (CBSnOCB) are described. The odd members of both series show twist-bend nematic and nematic phases, whereas the even members exhibit only the nematic phase. An analogous cyanoterphenyl-based dimer, 3⁴-{6-[(4?-cyano[1,1?-biphenyl]-4-yl)thio]-hexyl}[1¹,2¹:2⁴,3¹-terphenyl]-1⁴-carbonitrile (CT6SCB), is also reported and shows enantiotropic N_TB and N phases. The transitional properties of these dimers are discussed in terms of molecular curvature, flexibility and biaxiality. The same molecular factors also influence the birefringence of nematic phases. Resonant X-ray scattering studies of the twist-bend nematic phase at both the carbon and sulfur absorption edges were performed, which allowed for the determination of critical behaviour of the helical pitch at the transition to the nematic phase, the behaviour was found to be independent of molecular structure. It was also observed that despite the different molecular bending angle and flexibility, in all compounds the helical pitch length far from the N-N_TB transition corresponds to 4 longitudinal molecular distances.     

Molecular structure and vibrational spectra of γ-oxo [1,1′-biphenyl]-4-butanoic acid (fenbufen) and its interaction with ofloxacin

The Fourier transform Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectra of fenbufen (γ-oxo [1,1′-biphenyl]-4-butanoic acid) were recorded in the solid phase. The gas-phase structure and conformational properties of fenbufen were determined by quantum-chemical calculations (HF and DFT/B3LYP with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set). The harmonic wave numbers were calculated by the density functional theory (DFT) calculations with B3LYP functional and 6-311++G(d,p) basis set, and the scaled values were in good agreement with the majority of the experimental observations. A complete assignment of the fundamentals was proposed based on the total energy distribution (TED) calculation. The possible interaction between fenbufen and ofloxacin which is a synthetic antimicrobial agent was investigated. The changes observed in some bands of mixed drug indicated that there is an interaction between the two drug molecules.     

Electrooptical properties of new type fluorinated phenyl-tolane isothiocyanate liquid crystal compounds

A series of 4?-(4-alkyl-phenyl)-2?,6?-difluorotolane isothiocyanate liquid crystal (LC) compounds were synthesised, and their phase transitions and electrooptical properties were investigated. These compounds exhibit high birefringence, about 0.47–0.52. As the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chains increases, these LC compounds can exhibit smectic phases. When these LCs were mixed into the commercial LCs, the birefringence values of LC mixtures become higher than pure commercial LCs, and the visco-elastic coefficients of five LC mixtures are very close to each other at every test temperature. The results of response properties indicate that the compounds with a tri-fluorine substitution and n-propyl end group possess better response performance than the others. These LC compounds are particularly attractive for achieving fast response times in LC optic devices.     

Temperature-dependent vibrational spectroscopic studies of pure and gold nanoparticles dispersed 4-n-Hexyloxy-4’-cyanobiphenyls

Raman spectra of pure and 2 wt.% gold nanoparticles (GNPs) dispersed liquid crystalline compound 4-n-Hexyloxy-4?- cyanobiphenyls (6OCB) has been recorded as a function of temperature from room temperature (solid crystal) to 80°C (isotropic liquid) in the spectral region of 500–2500 cm^?1. The variation of Raman spectral parameters (peak positions and line width) with temperature is used to explain the changes in molecular alignment and its effect on inter-/intra-molecular interactions at crystal-Nematic (K-N) transition. To understand the change in molecular structure during phase transition and on account of dispersion of gold nanoparticles in pure liquid crystal more precisely, two spectral regions 1000–1500 cm^?1 and 1500–2400 cm^?1 have been selected separately. From the detailed study, it is concluded that increased orientational/vibrational freedom of the molecules as well as delocalisation of electron clouds results in the spectral anomalies at K-N transition. The geometrical structure of 6OCB was optimised using density functional theory (DFT) and theoretical Raman spectra have been obtained for comparison with experimental spectra. The tentative assignment of vibrational modes observed in our region of study was calculated based on potential energy distribution (PED) using vibrational energy distribution analysis (VEDA) calculation.     

The influence of the dialkylphenyltolane’s difluorosubstitution on mesomorphic and dielectric properties

The synthesis of variously difluoro-substituted 4-butyl-4?-[2-(4-butylphenyl)ethynyl]-1,1?-biphenyls is presented and discussed. Molecular correlations between positions of fluorine atoms at phenyltolane core and mesomorphic, dielectric properties of newly synthesised liquid crystals (LC) have been drawn and discussed. New LC molecules exhibit a wide range of nematic phase and are promising components of liquid crystalline mixtures. They were characterised by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry analysis. Phase transition temperatures, enthalpies, mesomorphic and dielectric properties were confirmed by a polarising optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and dielectric spectroscopy.     

Characterisation of polymerisation-induced phase separation process in polymer-dispersed liquid crystals based on hydroxyalkyl-methacrylate matrices

Hydroxyalkyl-methacrylates are very well-known hydrogel-forming biocompatible polymers. In this work, polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (LCs) based on hydroxyethyl- and hydroxypropyl-methacrylate (HEMA and HPMA) matrices are synthesised and characterised. Two different LCs from the cyano-biphenyl family (4?-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl [5CB] and 4?-octyl-4-cyanobiphenyl [8CB]) are used. Polymerisation kinetics, phase transitions, and morphologies generated during the polymerisation-induced phase separation process are analysed. Phase separation is observed at very low conversions, where a polymer-rich phase is initially segregated and this produces an increase in the low-conversion polymerisation rate (ascribed to the auto-acceleration effect of free-radical polymerisations in the polymer-rich phase). The liquid crystalline transition temperature decreases as the concentration of LC decreases, indicating that this phase is impurified. The liquid crystal 8CB is found to be less miscible than 5CB with the polymer matrices, so the LC-rich phase for 5CB is more impurified and its total volume in the material is smaller.     

Two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy study on phase transition and structural variations of a hydrogen-bonded liquid crystal

Infrared (IR) spectra have been measured for a liquid crystal (LC) consisting of one trans-butene diacid (BD) molecule as a proton donor and two 4-(2,3,4-tridecyloxybenzoyloxy)-4'-stilbazoles (DBS) molecules as a proton acceptor (DBS:BD:DBS) linked together with each other by inter-molecular hydrogen bonds over a temperature range from 20 to 120 degrees C to explore its phase transition and heat-induced structural variations. The temperature-dependent IR spectra have shown that the inter-molecular hydrogen bonds are stable in the liquid crystalline phase but become slightly decoupled with temperature increasing. Two kinds of two-dimensional (2D) correlation spectroscopy, variable-variable (VV) and sample-sample (SS) 2D spectroscopy, have been employed to analyze the observed temperature-dependent spectral variations more efficiently. The SS 2D correlation analysis in the spectral range of 2700-1800 cm(-1) has demonstrated that a change in hydrogen bonds in the LC starts from 40 degrees C, which is not clarified by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and conventional IR and Raman spectroscopic analyses. On the other hand, the phase transition of LC revealed by SS 2D spectroscopy in the specific spectral regions of 1750-1650 and 3000-2700 cm(-1) is in a good agreement with that revealed by DSC for the heating process. The VV 2D correlation spectroscopy analysis has provided information about the structural variations of inter-molecular hydrogen bonds. The different species of hydrogen-bonded and free -COOH and -COO- groups in the LC have been clarified by the VV 2D correlation analysis. It has also elucidated the specific order of the temperature-induced structural changes in the intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen bonds concerning with the -COOH and/or -COO- groups in the LC.     

Raman and X-ray investigations of ferroelectric phase transition in NH4HSO4

Temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies have been carried out on NH(4)HSO(4) single crystals in the temperature range 77-298 K. Two structural transitions driven by the molecular ordering and change in crystal symmetries are observed below 263 and 143 K. These phase transitions are marked by the anomalies in the temperature dependence of wavenumber and fwhm of several internal vibrational modes. The Raman spectra and X-ray data enable us to understand the nature of the molecular ordering resulting in the ferroelectric phase below 263 K, sandwiched between two nonferroelectric phases. The crystal structure of the ferroelectric phase is determined correctly as Pc, which has been earlier solved in Ba symmetry. The temperature dependent Raman and X-ray results suggest that the disorder to order transition leading to lower symmetry below 263 K is driven by the change in HSO(4)(-) ions and that below 143 K is driven by the change in both HSO(4)(-) and NH(4)(+) ions.     

Spontaneous formation of liquid crystalline phases and phase transitions in highly concentrated plasmid DNA

The liquid crystalline (LC) properties of two supercoiled plasmid DNA samples, pBSK (2958 bp) and pGEM (3000 bp), have been studied using polarised light microscopy (PLM), circular dichroism (CD) and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The influence of methods of isolation on plasmid LC behaviour is described, and using PLM we have demonstrated the spontaneous formation of cholesteric fingerprint-like textures. Preliminary studies of LC phase transitions in pGEM show the irreversibility of LC phase formation, as a consequence of changes in the tertiary structure of supercoiled plasmids. Using UV–Vis spectroscopy a hyperchromic effect was observed with increasing temperature. The CD spectra clearly showed structural changes, and probably mismatching of DNA bases, during cooling. Finally, we have observed an irreversible phase transition in plasmid DNA which is very different from that previously reported in linear DNA.     

Raman spectroscopy of liquid crystalline N-[4-(4-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)-2-hydroxybenzylidene]-3-aminopyridines

New homologous series of N-[4-(4-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)-2-hydroxybenzylidene]-3-aminopyridines were synthesized, they exhibited a nematic phase. The temperature dependence of their Raman spectra has been observed in the spectral range 900–1800?cm^?1. Some Raman bands show a marked change in their intensity and frequency through the phase transition from crystalline solid to nematic. These bands are ascribed to the vibrational modes related to the core part of the molecule. Such behaviour can be explained by the change of molecular conformation related to the core. Some members of these series exhibited photochromism in the solid state.     

meso-四(邻烷氧基苯基)卟啉及其铜配合物的合成、表征和性能研究

合成了meso-四(邻烷氧基苯基)卟啉及其铜配合物两个系列20个化合物, 其中未见文献报道的化合物16个, 研究了其合成、分离、纯化方法, 得到了这两个系列化合物的晶体或固体, 用¹H NMR, MS, IR, UV, 元素分析等方法确证了这些化合物的结构. 用差示扫描量热法(DSC)和偏光显微镜(PM)研究了这两个系列化合物的液晶性能, 发现19个化合物具有液晶性, 其液晶行为表现为升温单变液晶.     

Raman under nitrogen. The high-resolution Raman spectroscopy of crystalline uranocene, thorocene, and ferrocene

The utility of recording Raman spectroscopy under liquid nitrogen, a technique we call Raman under nitrogen (RUN), is demonstrated for ferrocene, uranocene, and thorocene. Using RUN, low-temperature (liquid nitrogen cooled) Raman spectra for these compounds exhibit higher resolution than previous studies, and new vibrational features are reported. The first Raman spectra of crystalline uranocene at 77 K are reported using excitation from argon (5145 A) and krypton (6764 A) ion lasers. The spectra obtained showed bands corresponding to vibrational transitions at 212, 236, 259, 379, 753, 897, 1500, and 3042 cm(-1), assigned to ring-metal-ring stretching, ring-metal tilting, out-of-plane CCC bending, in-plane CCC bending, ring-breathing, C-H bending, CC stretching and CH stretching, respectively. The assigned vibrational bands are compared to those of uranocene in THF, (COT)2-, and thorocene. All vibrational frequencies of the ligands, except the 259 cm(-1) out-of-plane CCC bending mode, were found to increase upon coordination. A broad, polarizable band centered about approximately 460 cm(-1) was also observed. The 460 cm(-1) band is greatly enhanced relative to the vibrational Raman transitions with excitations from the krypton ion laser, which is indicative of an electronic resonance Raman process as has been shown previously. The electronic resonance Raman band is observed to split into three distinct bands at 450, 461, and 474 cm(-1) with 6764 A excitation. Relativistic density functional theory is used to provide theoretical interpretations of the measured spectra.     

Liquid–liquid crystalline phase separation in biomolecular solutions

Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) and liquid crystalline (LC) ordering are ubiquitous phenomena in nature, in a variety of biomolecular solutions. Here, we review instances in DNA, nanocellulose, and other systems, where they occur together, leading to the formation of liquid–liquid crystalline phase separation (LLCPS), and we highlight analogies, differences, recent advances, and open questions. Remarkably, the intrinsic fluid yet ordered nature of LC, combined with the spatial confinement induced by LLPS, leads to peculiar biomolecular compartments suitable for a broad range of applications, ranging from material science to synthetic biology. We argue that tools from the LC field help to address still unexplained processes such as the onset of phase transitions in intracellular biomolecular condensates.     

A comparative laser Raman study on TB4A, TB7A and TB10A

The basic structural differences between three thermotropic liquid crystals TB4A, TB7A and TB10A have been interpreted by analysing their Raman spectra. Three spectral regions, 925-1025, 1275-1475 and 1525-1650 cm-1, have been chosen in this context to incorporate their structural dissimilarity. The induced planarity of the backbone, as an effect of increasing chain length, has been studied by observing the changes in the respective Raman spectra of the three compounds. A tentative assignment of all the modes observed in the region 400-1700cm-1 is made in this context. The molecular conformations of the three compounds have been predicted in their solution states, and are compared with the molecular environment that exists in their liquid crystalline states. Structural disorder at the solid-SmG transition is discussed and the changes are incorporated systematically.     

Study of the hydrogen bonding of 1,4-bis[(3,4,5-trihexyloxyphenyl)hydrazide]phenylene in crystalline and liquid crystalline phases using infrared,Raman, and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy

The vibrational bands of a dihydrazide derivative, 1,4-bis[(3,4,5-trihexyloxyphenyl)hydrazide]phenylene (TC6), observed in the Raman and infrared spectra were assigned. The intermolecular hydrogen bonding vibrational bands due to CO and NH groups in the low-frequency Raman spectra were observed at 111 and 94 cm⁻¹ in the crystalline and liquid crystalline (LC) phases, respectively. The sequential order of changes in the hydrogen bonding and alkyl chains was opposite in the crystalline and LC phases. The modifications in the hydrogen bonding occurred prior to conformational changes in the hydrocarbon chains in the crystalline phase; however, a reverse trend was observed in the LC phase. Simultaneously, the two-dimensional (2D) IR and Raman correlation spectroscopic analysis showed that the amide I band of TC6 in the LC phase comprised at least five distinct bands. In addition, the hetero 2D correlation between the NH and CO groups confirmed that no free NH and CO groups existed in the LC phase.     

Vibrational spectra of partially oriented molecules having two conformers in nematic and isotropic solutions: furfural and 2-chlorobenzaldehyde

Vibrational analysis of the two conformers of furfural and 2-chlorobenzaldehyde has been carried out on the basis of their IR and Raman spectra measured in isotropic and anisotropic (nematic liquid crystalline) solvent. The average orientation of the individual conformers in the nematic solvent has been determined by means of a recently developed approach for low symmetry planar molecules using DFT calculations of the vibrational transitions moments. The complex shape of the carbonyl band additionally split into several components is interpreted as an effect of Fermi resonance.