Contraction of side-on nematic liquid crystalline elastomers micropillars: Influence of molecular parameters

We investigated the structure-property relationship of nematic liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE) actuators obtained from a series of nematic side-on monomers. The liquid crystalline acrylate monomers were designed and synthesized with different tail lengths. Combining a soft lithography technique with photo-polymerization/photo-crosslinking of aligned nematic liquid crystalline monomers and crosslinkers, nematic LCE micropillars were obtained, based on the new monomers. Through microscopic observation, influence of some structural parameters on the thermo-mechanical behavior of the micropillars was investigated. The thermo-mechanical behavior of the LCEs showed a close correlation with to the tail length of the monomer and the spacer length of the crosslinker.     

Synthesis and characterization of new nematic liquid crystalline compounds-based thiophene units

Four new liquid crystalline thiophene compounds (M1?M4) with a long flexible spacer were prepared. Their structures were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance. The mesomorphism and thermal stability were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The photo-physical properties were evaluated using ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence. M1?M4 all showed thermotropic mesogenic properties with excellent thermal stability, and exhibited nematic threaded texture, droplet texture, and Schlieren texture on heating and cooling cycles. The effect of flexible spacer and terminal groups on mesomorphic and spectroscopic property is discussed. The experimental results demonstrated that the tendency toward melting temperature (Tm) decreased, while isotropic temperature (Ti) increased with increasing the flexible spacer length. In CHCl₃ solution, these thiophene compounds displayed an intense broad absorption band peaking within 230–340 nm and a maximum fluorescent emission wavelength at 426–439 nm.     

Synthesis and powder X-ray diffraction of new Schiff-base liquid crystal

Liquid crystals (LCs) are soft materials that combine the fluidity of disordered liquids and the long-range orientational or positional order of crystalline solids, along one or two directions of space. A search for better stationary phases, including highly selective ones, is an important trend in chromatography development. Among the stationary phases under investigation are LC stationary phases that have been recently generated much interest. A variety of isomeric molecules were separated with high accuracy. Successfully, X-ray scattering is widely used to investigate and characterise the microscopic structure of most LCs. In this paper, a new liquid crystalline material that can be used potentially as stationary phase in gas chromatography was synthesised and characterised by means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR) spectra, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis of four liquid crystals and study of alkyl chain effect on the nematic range for application in GC

Four liquid crystals (LCs) compounds which contain the 1,3,4-oxadiazole group were synthesized and characterized with spectroscopic techniques (IR, ¹H- and ¹³C NMR), their thermal properties were analyzed by the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and the polarizing microscope (POM). A comparative study of the mesomorphic properties of these LCs and three other compounds which have already been used as a stationary phase in gas chromatography (GC) was carried out. These compounds have the same main nucleus. LCs V1, LC1, LC2 and LC3 gave a nematic (N) phase to the heating, LCs V2 and V3 recorded smectic A (SmA) and N phases. However, the range (N) has disappeared in V4.     

Synthesis and Mesomorphic Properties of New T- Shaped Dimesogens

Abstract

Several new T- shaped liquid crystalline dimesogenic compounds were synthesized and their LC properties were characterized. These T-shaped dimesogens consist of substituted fluorene and substituted biphenyl units connected by flexible spacer units of varying lengths. The compounds were characterized for their liquid crystallinity by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing microscopy. All the compounds were found to exhibit enantiotropic nematic phase.     

Mesomorphic properties of liquid crystalline compounds with chalconyl central linkage in two phenyl rings

In order to investigate the influence of the central linking group and the effect of flexibility on mesomorphism, we have synthesised a newly homologous series 3-(3-butoxyphenyl)-1-(4-n-alkoxy phenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (series-l) consisting of 13 homologues C₁–C₈, C₁₀, C₁₂, C₁₄, C₁₆ and C₁₈. In the present series, mesophase commences from the C₆ homologue. C₁–C₅ homologues did not exhibit liquid crystalline (LC) property, while C₆–C₁₂ homologues exhibited an enantiotropic nematic phase and the rest of the homologues C₁₄–C₁₈ displayed monotropic SmC and nematic mesophase. The transition temperatures of the synthesised compounds were determined by an optical polarising microscopy equipped with a heating stage. All newly synthesised compounds were confirmed by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, IR and elemental analysis.     

Dependence of mesomorphism on geometrical shapes of isomeric and nonisomeric series of chalconyl esters

A meta substituted chalconyl ester homologous series: RO?C₆H₄?COO?C₆H₄(meta)?CO?CH?CH?C₆H₄?OC₁₂H_25(n)(para) is synthesized and studied with a view to understanding the effect of molecular substitution at meta position in a molecular structure on thermotropic liquid crystal properties. The novel homologous series consists of thirteen homologues (C₁ to C₁₈). All the homologues except the nonliquid crystal homologues C₁, C₂, C₃ are enantiotropic nematic with the absence of smectic properties. The transition and melting temperatures were determined by an optical polarizing microscopy (POM) equipped with a heating stage. Textures of a nematic phase are threaded or Schlieren. Transition curves (Cr-N/I and N-I) behave in normal manner except homologues between C₁₀ and C₁₄ of N-I curve, which show negligible deviation from normal and a smooth descending tendency. The N-I transition curve exhibits an odd-even effect up to C₁₀ homologue and then the odd-even effect disappears for higher homologues. Analytical and the spectral data support the molecular structures. Thermal stability for nematic is 107.3°C and the mesophase lengths range between 13.0°C and 35.0°C at the C₁₈ and C₁₂ homologues respectively. Group efficiency order for nematic is derived on the basis of thermal stability as ?OC₁₂H_25(n) (linear) > ?OC₁₂H_25(n) (nonlinear) > ?OC₁₆H₃₃ (nonlinear).     

Boron clusters as structural elements of novel liquid crystalline materials

closo-Boranes are characterised by high thermal and oxidative stability due in part to highly delocalised bonding within a σ-framework. These boron clusters when employed as structural elements of liquid crystals give rise to novel structures with unique properties and vast potential in applications. The neutral closo-boranes such as the carboranes provide opportunity to perform fundamental structure–property relationship studies that may provide additional insight on the liquid crystalline state. The anionic closo-borates possessing a highly delocalised negative two charge can be used as structural elements of zwitterionic, quadrupolar liquid crystalline materials. Such materials may be of use for understanding the effects of polarity on the liquid crystalline state. Lastly, the anionic closo-monocarbaborates possessing a single highly delocalised negative charge can be envisioned as structural elements of either highly polar or ionic liquid crystalline materials. The highly polar materials may also serve as models for understanding the effects of polarity on the liquid crystalline state. Additionally, they should have application as positive Δ? additives for nematic liquid crystalline mixture formulations. The ionic materials, where the anionic fragment drives liquid crystalline behaviour, lend themselves as potential electrolytes for anisotropic ion transport in battery technologies. The review presented here introduces these concepts and highlights the current status of boron cluster containing liquid crystalline materials.     

Synthesis and characterization of some novel liquid crystalline compounds of 1,3,4-oxadiazoline and their hydrazone derivatives

Three new series of mesogens have been synthesized by fixing 4-methoxy or 4-butoxy substituted phenyl ring in one side and 4-hydroxy, bromo or amino substituted phenyl group in the other side with different central linkage. The molecular structure of these series was confirmed by elemental analysis and FTIR and ¹HNMR spectroscopy. The mesomorphic properties were studied by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and optical polarizing microscopy (OPM). All the compounds of series [I] exhibit enantiotropic smectic B (SmB) phase. All the compounds of series [II] and [III] display SmB and nematic (N) phases. The mesomorphic properties were found to be dependent on the two terminal 4-substituted phenyl groups and the central linkage group.     

Birefringence of binary liquid crystalline mixtures of MBBA and PPMAECOBA in TCM,interferometric assessment

Abstract

The mutual influence of two mesogenic components, namely a nematic liquid crystal N-(p-methoxy-bezylidene)-butylaniline (MBBA) and a lyotropic liquid crystal poly-(phenyl-methacrylic) ester of cetyloxybenzoic acid (PPMAECOBA) in tetra-chloromethane (TCM) is studied in this paper. The ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices of the mixtures, nematic liquid crystal and lyotropic liquid crystal were measured at 589.3?nm with a Rayleigh interferometer and some electro-optical parameters were computed. The main refractive indices, the birefringence, the main normalized polarizabilities and their difference are dependent on the mixture volumetric concentrations, proving the existence of the collective orientational interactions between the two types of liquid crystals.     

Spontaneous homeotropic alignment of nematic liquid crystals induced by a double-armed side chain liquid crystalline polymethacrylate

A liquid crystalline polymethacrylate having two cyclohexylphenyl mesogens on its side-chain (PMG0) was synthesized by the radical polymerization of the corresponding methacrylate monomer (MG0). PMG0 exhibited a smectic A phase around room temperature showing a focalconic fan texture in POM observations and a broad diffusion in a wide angle range of its WAXD profile. Upon slow cooling at ?1 °C min^?1 from the isotropic melt, PMG0 exhibited spontaneous homeotropic alignment between two native glass surfaces. A mixture of the commercial nematic liquid crystal (ZLI-4792) containing 1.0 wt% PMG0 also exhibited a homeotropic alignment, which easily covered hydrophilic surfaces such as glass or polyacrylamide.     

Study of relation between liquid crystal properties and molecular structure of halogenated benzyl alcohol ester derivative

Comparison among the structurally similar analogous or isomeric novel homologous series of presently investigation is discussed with a view to understand the effect and relation between molecular structure in respect of molecular size, geometrical shape, molecular polarity and polarizability etc as emerged from changing molecular rigidity and flexibility which is played by terminal or central bridge to inducing liquid crystal property and the specific degree of mesomorphism of a substance. Novel series of study consists of three phenyl rings, two central bridges ?COO?, ?CH?CH?COO?, ?COO?CH₂?, ?CH?CH?COO?CH₂? with common left n-alkoxy (?O?C_nH_{2n + 1}) left terminal group which vary from homologue to homologue in the same series and varying tail end group –Cl and –Br. Novel members of series were selectively characterized and confirmed by elemental analysis, IR spectra, H¹NMR spectra, mass spectra, POM, textures of smectic or/and nematic phase by miscibility method etc. Totally 66 novel compounds were synthesized and 55 compounds were to be found liquid crystal (LC) in nature with different degree of mesomorphism depending upon changing molecular structure in respect of their tailed flexible end groups or central bridges.     

Synthesis and Characterization of 2d Ferromagnetic (RNH3)2CrX4 Containing Mixed-Halides,R = CnH2n+1, X = Br,C1

The bis(benzylammonium)tetrahalogenochromate(II), (C₆H₅CH₂NH₃)₂CrBr₃. ₃Cl₀. 7, has been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure is related to that of K₂NiF₄. The compound is ferromagnetic and the Curie temperature T_C (T_C= 49 K) has been measured by a mutual inductance technique. The susceptibility increases sharply at T_C and then shows a drop-off below T_C, typical of a single-domain powder sample. The compound is found to behave as a typical 2D easy plane ferromagnet.     

Influence of temperature variation on field effect transistor properties using a solution-processed liquid crystalline semiconductor,C8BTBT

In this study, we used a LC semiconductor, C₈BTBT, solution (e.g. 0.1 wt % in heptane) for forming an organic semiconductor layer by casting method, and fabricated bottom-gate/bottom-contact type FETs. The FETs mobility was determined 0.17 cm² V^?1 s^?1 which was comparable to that determined by time-of-flight technique in a sandwich type cell at room temperature. We have investigated the surface morphology and the influence of temperature variation on FET properties. The LC FET mobility was kept below 60°C and drastically decreased after heat stress above 100°C irreversibly.     

New fabrication approach to develop a high birefringence photo-crosslinked film based on a sulfur-containing liquid crystalline molecule with large temperature dependence of birefringence

ABSTRACT

We present a new fabrication approach to achieve a high birefringence film by means of photopolymerization based on an alkylthio-containing rod-like liquid crystalline molecule exhibiting large temperature dependence of birefringence. We designed a new reactive mesogen having alkylthio linkages (BPM–S). It was found that BPM–S had a larger increment of birefringence with decreasing temperature, relative to commercially available alkoxy analog LC242. This result could be thought to be due to enhanced intermolecular attractive interaction for an alkylthio mesogen implied by the proximity of laterally neighboring molecules and cybotactic nematic tendency based on wide-angle X-ray measurement. The uniaxially-aligned photo-polymerized film for BPM–S showed higher birefringence than that for LC 242.     

Study of mesomorphism and its relation to molecular structure with special reference to central bridges viz. -COO- and -CH=CH-COO- of the homologous series

Two ester homologous series of mesogens, viz., Methyl-p-(p′-n-alkoxy benzoyloxy) cinnamates (X) and Methyl-p-(p′-n-alkoxy cinnamoyloxy) cinnamates (Y) being structurally similar are discussed. Both (X) and (Y) differ in respect of central bridges linking two phenyl rings. Only enantiotropic nematogenic character is observed without exhibition of any smectic character by all members of series (X) and (Y). Thermal stability of series (X) is relatively low as compared to (Y), but nematogenic mesophase lengths are of reverse order. Solid-nematic/solid-isotropic and nematic-isotropic transition curves in the phase diagrams behave in normal manner.     

Measurement of the Refractive Index and Estimate of the Order Parameter in Oriented Liquid Crystals

The refractive indices of a cholesteric liquid crystal, cholesteryl dodecyl carbonate (CDC), and a smectic liquid crystal, p-n-octoxybenzilidene-p-n-butylaniline (OOBBA), have been measured as a function of temperature in the transition temperature regions. The measurements were made on oriented liquid crystals with an Abbe refractometer. By combining the data on ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices, the relative order parameter, α_aS/α, is plotted as a function of temperature. The behavior of the order parameter near the cholesteric to isotropic transition of CDC is similar to a nematic liquid crystal, whereas, the order parameter in OOBBA shows only a slight temperature variation like many solids.     

Synthesis,characterization of new carboxylic acid derivatives bearing 1,3,4-thiadiazole moiety and study their liquid crystalline behaviors

Thirteen carboxylic acid derivatives containing 1,3,4-thiadiazole ring in their core and swinging alkoxy terminal were synthesized. They were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, FTIR, and mass spectrometry. Their liquid crystalline behaviors have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). The 1,3,4-thiadiazole compounds in this study were 2,5 di-substituted asymmetrical, alkoxy, and carboxy linkages. The compounds with alkoxy of long carbon chains (n > 7) displayed Smectic C phase. The liquid crystal properties were found to be affected by the length of alkoxy chain attached to the phenyl moiety and the two types of the dimeric form were resulted from the hydrogen bonding interaction between carboxylic acid molecules.