Optical and liquid crystalline properties of dicholesteryl derivatives having different configurations of the hydrocarbon linkages

The liquid crystalline and optical properties of four dicholesteryl derivatives having various linkage configurations, but with the same number of connecting carbons (18), have been investigated, using differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Quite different phase behaviours and optical properties have been found for these compounds, while all of them exhibited the behaviour specific for a cholesteric phase. By rapid cooling from the cholesteric phase to 0°C, the iridescent colours of some of the dicholesteryl esters were fixed in the cholesteric glassy state. It was difficult but possible to fix various stable colours in the cholesteric glassy state of one compound with a polymethylene (CH₂)₁₈ linking chain. It was much easier to fix less stable colours for samples with the linking groups (CH₂)₆ and C=C double bonds between them. Very unstable colours could also be fixed for the compound with the (CH₂)₇ chains and a diyne group. The fourth compound with a branched linking chain gave a cholesteric phase which showed colours at room temperature. FTIR spectroscopy measurements provided interesting results concerning the average change in molecular configuration between the blue cholesteric glass and the crystal for the compound with the (CH₂)₇ polymethylene chains which crystallized within a few hours; also frequency changes associated with some bands were found and reported.     

Films solidified from a lyotropic mesophase which retain the cholesteric structure

Solidified cholesteric films of α-helical poly(γ-methyl L -glutamate) and poly(γ-benzyl L -glutamate) were prepared by casting from solutions of the lyotropic cholesteric mesophase. Colored films can be prepared in this manner, so the cholesteric structure is retained with a pitch corresponding to a visible wavelength. Their iridescent colors can cover the full range of the visible spectrum, and the colors remain unchanged for years. Although the films are similar in optical properties to those of fluid cholesteric phases, the temperature dependence of the color is quite different. On stretching, the film undergoes a permanent deformation, and the iridescent color is shifted toward the blue. If t₀ is the initial film thickness and Δt is the change in thickness after stretching the film, the relative change in pitch, ?ΔP/P₀, of the cholesteric structure increases linearly with ?Δt/t₀ in the range ?Δt/t₀ > 0.10. This reduction of the pitch is attributed to a decrease in the number of pseudonematic layers in the span of one pitch, which may be interpreted in terms of delamination using an angle-ply model of the cholesteric structure.     

Synthesis and properties of new non-symmetric liquid crystal dimers containing mandelic acid and cyano group

Four non-symmetric dimers containing mandelic acid as the chiral core have been synthesised, termed as QBMA-B, QBMA-BCN, QBMA-BBCN and QBBMA-BBCN, respectively. Chemical structures and liquid crystal (LC) properties of the dimers were characterised by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and polarised optical microscopy (POM). The results indicated that the rigidity and conformation of the molecules of the dimers played important effects on their mesophase properties. QBMA-B did not display any mesophase, QBMA-BCN and QBMA-BBCN exhibited nematic (N) phases, while QBBMA-BBCN displayed cholesteric (ch) phase, which indicated that chiral mandelic acid could induce cholesteric phase, but some attention should be paid to the molecular conformation to obtain cholesteric phase. For the four dimers, melting temperature (T_m) increased first and then decreased, inferring that molecular conformation played a more important effect besides molecular weight and rigidity.     

Side-chain cholesteric liquid crystalline elastomers derived from a mesogenic crosslinking agent: I. Synthesis and mesomorphic properties

The synthesis of new side-chain cholesteric elastomers derived from a cholesteric monomer and mesogenic crosslinking agent is presented. The chemical structures of the monomers obtained were confirmed by elemental analyses, FT-IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR. The mesomorphic properties and thermal stability were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. M₁ showed cholesteric phase, and M₂ displayed enantiotropic nematic phase and monotropic smectic phase. The elastomers containing less than 12 mol% of the crosslinking units revealed reversible mesomorphic phase transition, wide mesophase temperature ranges, and high thermal stability.     

Synthesis and mesomorphism of novel multi-arm liquid crystals with cholic acid as chiral centre linking Schiff base moieties as mesogens

A new series of multi-arm chiral liquid crystals (LCs) D1–D3 were synthesised and characterised. Cholic acid was used as the core and ω-[4-(p-alkoxybenzoloxy)phenoxycarbonyl]valeric acid (B1–B3) was used as the mesogenic arms, containing different terminal substituent X (B1: X= -OCH₃, B2:X= -CH₃, B3: X= -Cl). Their structures and mesomorphic properties were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectrometer, differential scanning calorimetry, polarised optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The mesogenic B1–B3 displayed smectic B phase. The multi-arm LC D1 displayed cholesteric, while D2 and D3 exhibited nematic phase. The formation of cholesteric phase of D1 was affected by both the chiral core – the bulky cholic acid and the polarity of the terminal substituent of the mesogenic arm. That D1 displayed cholesteric phase but D2–D3 did not indicated that the stronger polarity of the terminal group OCH₃ of D1 played an important part in stabilising the cholesteric phase. The multi-arm LCs D1–D3 all showed ultraviolet activity. The wavelength of maximum absorption of D1–D3 was affected by the terminal substituent of the mesogenic arm.     

Side-chain cholesteric liquid crystalline polymers containing menthol and cholesterol—synthesis and characterization

A series of new cholesteric side-chain liquid crystalline polymers were prepared containing cholesteric monomer and nonmesogenic chiral monomer. All polymers were synthesized by graft polymerization using polymethylhydrosiloxane as backbone. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements, and temperature-changing solidistic optical rotation. The chemical structures of the monomers and polymers obtained were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. M₁ showed cholesteric phase during the heating and the cooling cycle. Polymer P₁ were chiral smectic A phase, whereas P₂–P₇ were cholesteric phase. Experimental results demonstrated that nonmesogetic chiral moity offered the possibility of application because of its lower glass-transition temperature, and the glass-transition temperatures and isotropization temperatures reduced, and the ranges of the mesophase temperature changed abruptly at first and then smoothly with increasing the content of chiral agent.     

Optical and mesomorphic properties characterisation of chiral liquid crystalline copolysiloxane exhibiting cholesteric and blue phases

A series of liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) have been synthesised by two cholesteric monomers M₁, M₂ and a nematic monomer M₃. The chemical structures and liquid crystalline properties of the monomers and polymers have been characterised by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analyses, X-ray diffraction measurements and polarising optical microscopy. All LCPs show a high thermal stability with wide mesophase temperature ranges. For polymer P₁ bearing only cholesteric LC monomers component, it shows a cholesteric phase, whereas others display a blue phase besides a cholesteric phase. The formation of the blue phase is based on the structures of the polymers and the produced biaxial helix. The glass transition temperature and isotropic temperature of the polymers decrease on heating cycle with increasing the content of M₃ in the polymers. The specific rotation values of the polymers are temperature-sensitive. The reflection spectra of polymers P₁–P₆ show that the maximum reflected wavelengths shift to long wavelength with increasing the content of M₃ in the polymer systems. The frequency and intensity of the bands change sharply at the temperature where cholesteric phase changes to blue phase, but they show a weak dependence on temperature in the blue phase.     

Side-chain cholesteric liquid-crystalline elastomers containing azobenzene derivative as cross-linking agent – synthesis and characterisation

The cholesteric polysiloxanes (PLQ series) were obtained by reacting cholesteric monomer and phenolic hydroxyl monomer in different ratios with polysiloxanes. The chiral azo-containing polysiloxanes liquid-crystalline elastomers (LCEs) were synthesised by esterifying PLQ series with acyl acid of azo diacid catalysed by 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP). The chemical structures and mesomorphic properties of monomers and polymers were confirmed by conventional spectroscopic methods. The elastomers displayed elastic properties, reversible phase transition and high thermal stability. The T_g values changed irregularly and T_i values decreased at the beginning and then increased afterwards. The chiral azo-LCEs showed colourful textures and a Grandjean texture could be observed, which exhibited a red shift with increasing content of azo moiety. PLQ₂–PLQ₆ exhibited selective reflection in the visible light region, but PLZ₁–PLZ₄ can only observe selective reflection when appropriate mechanical pressure was imposed on the polymers. The PLZ series was carefully investigated by ultra violet–visible spectroscopy.     

聚对苯撑对苯二甲酰胺液晶的相态转变

本工作以H(?)ppler流变粘度计、退偏振光法及小角激光光散射法研究了聚对苯撑对苯二甲酰胺的浓硫酸溶液在不同浓度和温度下的粘性行为、光学性质和区域结构的变化,发现聚对苯撑对苯二甲酰胺的各向异性溶液在不同温度下呈现向列型液晶和胆甾型液晶特征,说明芳香聚酰胺的液晶体系与小分子液晶相类似,也具有多种中介相的转变现象。这里的中介相转变是由向列型转变为胆甾型,但不是直接的同时是一个单变性的相转变过程。     

Optical behaviour of photoimageable cholesteric liquid crystal cells with various novel chiral compounds

In theory, both polarity and steric hindrance are basic factors which affect molecular interactions. To investigate the optical properties and steric structures of chiral compounds having different chiral moieties which affect the wavelength of light reflection in liquid crystal (LC) cells, a series of novel chiral compounds and azobenzene derivatives were synthesized. The liquid crystalline phases of the compounds were identified using small angle X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. Cholesteric LC cells with various synthesized chiral dopants which selectively reflect visible light were first prepared, the photochemical switching behaviour of colours was then investigated, with special reference to the change in transmittance in cholesteric LC cells containing an azobenzene derivative as a photoisomerizable guest molecule. Reversible isomerization of azobenzene molecules occurred in the cholesteric systems, resulting in a depression of T _ChI and a shift of the selectively reflected wavelength. We discuss the photochemically driven change in the helical pitch of the cholesteric LCs with respect to structural effects involving the chiral moieties. Molecular interactions caused by the added dopants, reliability and stability of the photoisomerization, and UV irradiation effects on the cholesteric LC cells were also investigated. A real image was recorded through a mask on a cholesteric LC cell fabricated in this investigation.     

Preparation and cholesteric mesophase properties of (Butyl-co-pentyl) propylcellulose

Butyl and pentyl ether derivatives of (2-hydroxypropyl) cellulose (HPC) and butyl/pentyl mixed ethers of HPC (BPPC) with different alkyl compositions were prepared in nonaqueous solution and their thermotropic cholesteric properties examined. The temperature dependence and the composition dependence of the optical pitch, nP, were then determined for all of the ether derivatives. The molecular conformation and chirality of BPPC appeared to be to be variably smooth with the side chain composition of the polymer. The response rate of cholesteric configurational change of the thermotropic mesophases arising from a temperature jump from 45  to 75 °C, was also determined. The transformation of the cholesteric mesophase formed by an equimolar ether derivative (BP-50) was faster than that of the cholesteric one formed by a single-alkyl (pentyl) ether derivative (BP-0). This seemed to be a general result reflecting a pseudo-copolymer effect of cellulose derivatives on the properties of their thermotropic cholesteric mesophases.     

Effect of fluorinated nematic mesogens on phase behaviors and optical properties of chiral liquid crystalline polysiloxanes

A series of new chiral side-chain liquid crystalline polymers (P₁–P₇) have been synthesized with poly(methylhydrogeno)siloxane, two chiral liquid crystalline monomers, cholesteryl-4-allyloxybenzoate (M₁) and cholesteryl 4-(10-undecylen-1-yloxy) benzoate (M₂), and a nematic liquid crystalline monomer, 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl 4-(undec-10-enoyloxy)benzoate (M₃). The chemical structures and liquid crystalline properties of the synthesized polymers have been investigated by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). All chiral polymers show wide mesophase temperature ranges and a high thermal stability with decomposition temperatures (T _d) at 5 % weight loss greater than 300 °C. P₁–P₄ display a single cholesteric phase, but P₅–P₇ containing more fluorinated units show a smectic A (SA) phase besides a cholesteric phase. The optical properties of the polymers have been characterized by circular polarization spectra and optical rotation analysis. The cholesteric polymers P₃ and P₄ exhibit different colors at room temperature, and the color can remain over 24 months. The maximum reflection bands of polymers P₁–P₄ shift to long wavelength with increasing the content of M₃ in the polymer systems. For P₅–P₇, the reflection wavelengths change sharply around the temperature of the SA–Ch phase transition. The specific rotation value of P₂ smoothly decreases from ?8.2° to ?0.29° when it is heated, but the specific rotation value of polymer P₇ changes from negative value to positive value on heating cycle. The optical properties of the polymers offer tremendous potential for various optical applications.     

Supramolecular structure investigation of poly(γ-benzyl, α-l-glutamate)-benzyl alcohol system by static light scattering

The cholesteric mesophase of the PBLG-BA system in concentrated solutions and in the gel phase has been investigated by static laser light scattering. The observed ‘distortion’ of the patterns in terms of their dependence on the azimuthal angle was studied. Effect of form-optical rotation on the pattern is discussed. The manner of distortion in the H_v pattern determines the sense of cholesteric twisting. The observed scattering patterns are analogous to those obtained by previous investigators in other solvents. Quantitative measurements of the intensity as a function of scattering vector provide information on the sense and pitch of the cholesteric twisting, as a function of temperature and concentration. Optical microscopy studies reveal onset and build-up of the cholesteric structure. Optical rotation and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies support the conclusions obtained from light-scattering experiments.     

Supramolecular self-assembly of a novel hydrogen-bonded cholesteric liquid crystal exhibiting macromolecular behaviour

The mesomorphic, thermoptic and glass-forming properties of 4-[6-((cholesteryloxy) carbonyl)oxy hexyloxy] benzoic acid (Ch-BA) have been investigated as a novel supramolecular hydrogen-bonded cholesteric mesogen. Fourier transform infrared and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance studies have confirmed the chemical structure and the hydrogen-bond formation between the mesogens. According to polarising optical microscope observations, the compound exhibited smectic and chiral nematic phases. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated an unexpected glass transition (T _g) around 32°C and a liquid crystalline region between 32 and 122°C, in which the cholesteric phase appeared at 80°C. As a result of the glass formation, samples of Ch-BA which were rapidly cooled below the T _g were found to preserve the long-range ordering of the liquid crystalline state and retained the iridescent colours of the cholesteric phase. These results led to the conclusion that the formation of identical dimers by intermolecular hydrogen-bonding of the terminal carboxylic acids accompanying the lateral packing of the rigid cores, built a trimeric arrangement and this was responsible for the macromolecular behaviour of Ch-BA, despite its relatively simple structure and low molecular weight.     

Mesomorphic properties of side-chain cholesteric liquid-crystalline elastomers

New monomer cholesteryl 4-(10-undecylen-1-yloxybenzoyloxy)-4′-ethoxybenzoate (M₁), crosslinking agent biphenyl 4,4′-bis(10-undecylen-1-yloxybenzoyloxy-p-ethoxybenzoate) (M₂) and a series of side-chain cholesteric elastomers were prepared. The chemical structures of the monomers and elastomers obtained were confirmed by element analyses, FT-IR, and ¹H NMR. The mesomorphic properties and thermal stability were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, polarizing optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction measurements. The influence of the content of the crosslinking unit on the phase behavior of the elastomers was examined. M ₁ showed cholesteric phase, and M ₂ displayed nematic phase. The elastomers containing less than 12 mol% of the crosslinking units revealed reversible mesomorphic phase transition, wide mesophase temperature ranges, and high thermal stability.     

Preparation and characterization of side chain cholesteric liquid crystalline polysiloxanes containing two chiral groups

A series of liquid crystalline (LC) polysiloxanes containing diosgeninyl and menthyl groups (from monomers M ₁ and M ₂, respectively) were synthesized. The chemical structures of the monomers and polymers obtained were confirmed by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton NMR and carbon‐13 NMR. The LC properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, polarizing optical microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. Monomer M ₁ showed cholesteric oily‐streak and spiral textures. Copolymers P ₂–P ₅ exhibited cholesteric phases. With increasing concentration of M ₂ units, the glass transition and clearing temperatures decreased. Experimental results demonstrated that a flexible polymer backbone and a long flexible spacer tended to favour a lower glass transition temperature, higher thermal stability, and wider mesophase temperature range.     

Investigation of molecular order in liquid-crystalline solutions of cellulose triacetate using PMR spectroscopy

Liquid-crystalline solutions of cellulose triacetate (CTA) in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)–CH₂Cl₂, TFA–1.2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) solvent mixtures were examined by means of PMR spectroscopy. CTA forms both cholesteric and nematic phases in these solvents depending on the CTA concentration. In cholesteric solutions the CH₂Cl₂ signal is initially a singlet and then splits into a doublet. The time dependence of the splitting and the effect of CTA concentration are reported. The results suggest that the cholesteric phase slowly changes into a nematic phase in the magnetic field. The splitting of the CH₂Cl₂ proton signal into a doublet and the 1,2-DCE signal into a quartet are due to direct magnetic dipole-dipole interactions. Rotation of the sample in the magnetic field results in the disappearance of the doublet or quartet and suggests that the solvent molecules are originally oriented in the direction of the magnetic field. In the biphasic region, immediate splitting of the CH₂Cl₂ proton signal suggests that the anisotropic phase is nematic.     

Thermodynamic Parameters of Cholesteric/Smectic A Transition in Cholesteric Myristate and Its Binary Mixture CM/PCPB

Thermodynamic properties of the cholesteryl myristate (CM) and its binary mixture CM/PCPB (p-pentylphenyl-2-chloro-4(p-pentylbenzoyl)-benzoate) are studied at the concentrations of x_PCPB = 0.052 and 0.219 as a function of temperature near the cholosteric/smectic A transition. By analyzing the observed molar volume from the literature, the temperature dependences of the thermal expansion, isothermal compressibility and the difference in the specific heat are calculated and, the Pippard relations are established for those compounds close to the cholesteric/smectic A transition. Predictions of the thermodynamic quantities and the Pippard relations can be examined by the experimental measurements of the CM and its binary mixture of CM/PCPB close to the cholesteric/smectic A transition.     

Cholesteric mixture containing a chiral azobenzene-based dopant: material with reversible photoswitching of the pitch of the helix

A new low molar mass chiral-photochromic dopant was synthesized. It contains a menthyl fragment as the chiral group and an azobenzene group, capable of E - Z photoisomerization, as the photochromic component. The substance obtained was used as a chiral dopant in mixtures with a comb-shaped cholesteric acrylic copolymer with menthyl-containing chiral side groups and phenyl benzoate nematogenic side groups. Such mixtures form a cholesteric mesophase. The chiral dopant led to an additional twisting of the cholesteric helix, i.e. to a shift of the selective light reflection peak to a shorter wavelength region of the spectrum. The initial copolymer gave selective light reflection in the spectral range 1200-1400 nm; the mixture containing 3.5 mol % of chiral-photochromic dopant reflects light with λ_max~ 850 nm. The action of light with λ_ir~ 440 nm results in E - Z isomerization of the azo-group of the chiral dopant and in a shift of the selective light reflection peak to the long wavelength region of the spectrum (amplitude of shift = 30 nm). This is explained by a lower helical twisting power of the Z-isomer of the chiral dopant. This process is thermally reversible: annealing of irradiated films leads to a back shift of the selective light reflection peak to the short wavelength region of the spectrum due to Z - E isomerization. Kinetic features of the direct and backward processes of isomerization were studied: it was shown, that mixtures of the chiralphotochromic azobenzene-containing dopant with cholesteric polymers give new possibilities for the creation of polymer materials with a reversibly regulated helical supramolecular structure which determines their optical properties.     

PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF ETHYL-CYANOETHYL CELLULOSE/POLYACRYLIC ACID COMPOSITE FILMS WITH REFLECTION COLORS*

Ethyl-cyanoethyl cellulose [(E-CE)C]/acrylic acid (AA) becomes a cholesteric liquid crystalline solution withvivid colors when the (E-CE)C concentration is 42 wt%～52 wt%. (E-CE)C/polyacrylic acid (PAA) composites withcholesteric structure were prepared by polymerzing AA in (E-CE)C/AA liquid crystalline solutions. The layers of orderedpolymer chains in the cholesteric phase were inclined during polymerization and the degree of the inclination depended onthe polymerization temperature and the concentration of the solution before polymerization. The cholesteric structure in thecomposites could not be changed when temperature was lower than 100℃. Cross-linking of the PAA in compositesimproved their water-resistance. The cholesteric order of the composites without cross-linking was destroyed when theywhere immersed in water. The color derived from the selective reflection of the cholesteric phase of the cross-linkedcomposites turned from blue to red after the composites absorbed water. The color of the composites could be returned to theoriginal one when the absorbed water was removed from the swollen composites.