Phase transition and thermal stability of reentrant smectic phase in mixture of liquid crystalline materials

In the present work, our investigation is to study the optical and thermal properties of the binary mixture of cholesteric and nematic compounds namely, decyloxy benzoic acid (DBA), and cholesteryl chloride (ChCl), which exhibits different liquid crystalline phases with reentrant smectic-A phase. The reentrant smectic-A phase has been observed at different concentrations and at different temperatures. The existence of reentrant smectic-A phase has been observed by optical microscopic studies. The temperature variation of optical anisotropy, X-ray and helical pitch of the cholesteric (N^*) phase has also been discussed.     

Steroid motor: dynamics of cholesteric helix induction in the nematic droplet

A nematic liquid crystal can be converted into a cholesteric phase by a chiral dopant, and the cholesteric pitch can be changed by its photochemical transformations [1]. For the first time we investigate the dynamics of the cholesteric phase induction using seven steroids (vitamin D isomers and related compounds) as chiral dopants. Here we report the new effect of rotation of a rod-like steroid crystal (0.1-1 mm length) when it is placed at the surface of a nematic drop and its dissolution course was followed with a polarizing microscope. For all the compounds univocal correspondence was noticed between the crystal rotation direction, the helicity of the molecular steroid ring system [2] and the sign of the cholesteric macrohelix determined by the Cano-Grandjean method [3]. No rotation was observed in the isotropic phase.     

The Effect of Rhodamine 6G on Phase Transitions in Cholesteryl Ester Mixtures

Compensated cholesteric mixtures were the subject of a whole range of studies.^1-6 Due to their characteristic properties (the existence of a temperature at which compensation occurs and the dependence of the critical field on temperature), the orientation of guest molecules by compensated cholesteric hosts⁷ shows some particular features in comparison to the orienting mechanisms acting within nematic liquid crystals^8-15 or within chiral nematic mixture.^16,17 When the colour of sample varies due to the influence of the electric field and temperature the guest dye contributes to it as well the compensated cholesteric host.

In this paper we report the modification of compensated cholesteric mixture properties due to the introduction of Rhodamine 6G as guest.     

On the Transition between Cholesteric and Nematic Phases in Magnetic Field

Singularities at the critical lines bounding the cholesteric and nematic phases on the magnetic field versus temperature plane are investigated. Critical exponents, α and γ, of the specific heat and magnetic susceptibility are found both unities. By regarding the inverse of pitch of the cholesteric structure as an order parameter, it is found that the exponents β and δ are zero and infinity, respectively, and these exponents satisfy the scaling relations, α + 2β + γ = 2 and α + β (δ + 1) = 2. In relation to the discommensurate charge density wave in layer structure materials, it is noted that the transition from the nematic to cholesteric phase occurring with the change of magnetic field and/or temperature is interpreted as a condensation process of solitons.     

Crosslinked Cholesteric Network from the Acrylic Acid Ester of (Hydroxypropyl)Cellulose

The acrylic acid ester of (hydroxypropyl)cellulose was prepared from (hydroxypropyl)cellulose and acryloyl chloride. The resultant polymer, with 2.2 ester groups per anhydroglucose unit, formed a thermotropic cholesteric mesophase with visible reflection hands at temperatures between ambient and 60°C. By exposing a thin layer of the mesophase to UV light, the mesophase structure was stabilized to give a crosslinked cholesteric film.     

Phase transition studies in certain thermotropic liquid crystals thermal microscopy and DSC

Investigations on the phase transition studies in the thermotropic liquid crystals, (1) pcyanophenyl trans-4-propylcyclohexane carboxylate, (2) p-cyanophenyl trans-4-pentyl-cyclohexane carboxylate, (3) 4′-n-pentyloxy-4-cyanobiphenyl and (4) 4′-n-octyloxy-4-cyanobiphenyl are carried out by the thermal microscopy and the differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) studies. These studies reveal that the first three mesogens exhibit a single mesophase while the fourth one exhibits a smectic A phase in addition to the nematic phase. The textures exhibited by these mesogens in their mesophases and their transition temperatures, enthalpies and entropies are presented.     

New Nematic Phase in Lyotropic Binary Liquid Crystals Detected by Positron Annihilation Techniquest

A new nematic phase in lyotropic binary liquid crystalline systems consisting of sodium dodecyl sulfate-water was detected, for the first time, in the absence of additives by utilizing positron annihilation techniques. Lyotropic and thermotropic phase transitions were also investigated by the same methods. The positron annihilation parameters have also indicated a better definition of the concentration ranges at which each phase exists in the system studied. Crossed polarized light microscopy was applied to substantiate these results.     

Study of deviation from normal liquid crystal behavior of mesomorphic-isotropic transition curve in a chalconyl ester series with equipolar terminal end groups

A novel chalconyl ester homologous series RO.C₆H₄.COO.C₆H₄.CO-CH:CH-C₆H₄.OC₈H₁₇(p) synthesized and studied with a view to understanding and establishing the relation between molecular structure and Liquid Crystal (LC) properties of thermotropic mesomorphs. The novel series consists of eleven homologous (C₁ to C₁₆). Enantiotropicnematic type of mesophase formation commences from C₃ homologue and continued up to the last C₁₆ homologue of a novel series. Smectogenic character is totally absent for the novel series. Transition temperatures and the textures of nematic phase were determined through an optical polarizing microscopy (POM) equipped with a heating stage. Textures of nematic phase are threaded or Schlieren. Transition curve Cr-N/I and N-I behaved in normal manner except C₈ homologue which showed negligible deviation from normal behavior. N-I transition curve exhibited odd–even effect. Analytical and structural data supported the molecular structures of homologues. Average thermal stability for nematic is 98.88°C whose degree of mesomorphismvary from 12.0°C to 37.0°C. Evaluated thermometric data of present novel series are compared with structurally similar series. Group efficiency order for nematic on the basis of thermal stability, early commencement of mesophase and the degree of mesomorphism. Thus, present series is predominantly nematogenic and lower middle ordered melting type the low degree of mesomorphism.     

High Pressure Investigations of the Phase Transitions in Cholesteryl Pentanoate and Cholesteryl Hexanoate

At high pressures too cholesteryl n-penta-noate (CH-5) and cholesteryl n-hexanoate (CH-6) exhibit only a cholesteric liquid crystalline phase. Our light reflection measurements up t o 2600 bars yield no indication of a pressure induced smectic phase which was suggested by Tikhomirova and Ginzberg' for CH-5 at about 850 bars and 120°C. The Obtained pressure (P_t)-temperature (T_t) phase diagrams show the expected widening of the cholesteric range with P_t and T_t. In the case of CH-5 the marked crystallization curve besides a melting curve could be explained by the transformation of the cholesteric into a metastable crystalline solid phase.     

Temperature Dependence of Critical Sample Thickness for Spontaneous Cholesteric-Nematic Phase Transition Between Surfaces with Homeotropic Anchoring

Temperature dependence of the critical sample thickness at which a cholesteric structure unwinds spontaneously between surfaces with homeotropic anchoring are presented for some dielectrically negative chiral nematic mixtures. The results obtained are pertinent to the application of the nematic-cholesteric phase change-effect in liquid crystal devices.     

Chiral Induction in Liquid Crystals with Dopants Derived from 1-Phenyl-2-Aminoalcohols

New chiral additives derived from 1-phenyl-2-aminoalcohols have been prepared and tested. Especially ephedrine and pseudoephedrine as chiral auxiliaries with two asymmetric C atoms offer functional groups of divergent reactivity. Dopants prepared by acylation with promesogenic agents can be used in various electro-optic devices. A specific utilization concerns bistable cholesteric liquid crystal displays with stacked double layer construction in order to enhance the luminance of reflected light. Further, the solubility in nematic mixtures, the long term phase behavior, the dopant's impact on textures and phase behavior, the electro-optic response and the photostability of cholesteric mixtures have been investigated.     

Linear Double Hydrogen-bonded Thermotropic Liquid Crystals Formed Between Oxaloacetic Acid and p-n- Alkyloxy Benzoic Acids

Double hydrogen-bonded thermotropic liquid crystal complexes (DHBLC) have been isolated from molar ratios of Oxaloacetic acid (OAC) and eight alkyloxy benzoic acids (nBAO) whose carbon number varied from pentyloxy to dodecyloxy. The complexes are referred as OAC+nBAO where n varied from 5 to 12. In each of the synthesized complexes, complementary hydrogen bonds formed are confirmed by FTIR study and the complexes are further investigated by Polarizing Optical Microscopy (POM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) for the construction of phase diagram. Characteristic phases like nematic, smectic C, smectic F, and smectic G are characterized by various textures. From DSC studies, odd–even effect is evinced in transition temperatures across isotropic to nematic phase transition and across smectic F to smectic G phase transition in enthalpy values. The order of all transitions observed in eight complexes is calculated by thermal analysis. The magnitude of optical tilt angle in smectic C is fitted to a power law and the scale of critical exponent is found to concur with the Mean Field theory predicted value.     

X-ray Analysis of Chiral Thermotropic Liquid Crystal Copolyesters Based on Linear and Nonlinear Aromatic Ester Triads

A series of chiral thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters, based on linear mesogenic triads and nonlinear nonmesogenic triads consisting of two p-oxybenzoyl units coupled by a terephthaloyl or phthaloyl residue respectively, is studied by X-ray diffraction. Complementary data of differential calorimetry and polarizing microscopy are presented. The degree of crystallinity is found to depend significantly on the relative content of the nonlinear counit and to vary with thermal history. The occurrence of cholesteric phases is established, whose stability and breadth can be modulated on the basis of appropriate chemical compositions. The structural data of the investigated copolymer samples are compared with those previously obtained for an analogous series of copolymer samples based on the same linear aromatic triad and an isomeric triad containing a central isophthaloyl residue.

Keywords: liquid crystalline polymers, chiral thermotropic polymers, cholesteric copolyesters, 4,4'-(terephthaloyldioxy)dibenzoate mesogen, X-ray diffraction     

Studies of Image Processing and Refractive Index in Blue Phase

The isotropic - blue phases - cholesteric phase transitions are studied in a thermotropic (COC) by image processing and refractive index measurements. Textures of blue phases are optically characterized as well as their transition points. The experimental investigation employed here is sensitive to detect changes in the structural configuration of blue phases as a consequence of our refractive index data. In this context the experimental results are presented and discussed.     

Mesomorphism dependence on molecular rigidity

A novel ester homologous series of thermotropic liquid crystal (LC) has been studied with a view to understanding and establishing the relation between LC property and the molecular structure. The series consists of 11 members, the C₁–C₅ and C₁₆ members of the series are nonliquid crystals. LC properties commence from the C₆ homolog and continue up to the C₁₄ homolog as enantiotropic nematic and smectic in addition to nematic. Transition temperatures of the homologs were determined by an optical polarizing microscope equipped with a heating stage. Textures of nematic phase are threaded or Schlieren and that of smectic is focal conic of the type-A. Analytical and spectral data confirm the structures of homologs. Thermal stability for nematic is 93 °C and 136 °C, respectively. The N–I and Sm–N transition curves of phase diagram do not exhibit odd-even effect. The N–I transition curve partly behaves in an abnormal manner. The Cr–I and Sm–N transition curves behave in normal manner. The LC behavior of the present series is compared with structurally similar known homologous series.     

Influence of the Orientational Order on the Optical Properties of Cholesteric Liquid Crystals

An orientational order parameter for cholesteric liquid crystals is defined in analogy to nematic mesophases. The influence of this parameter on the selective reflexion and the optical rotatory dispersion is described. Its relative change with temperature is evaluated from ORD measurements for an induced cholesteric soIution and is found to be similar to that known for nematic liquid crystals.     

Liquid crystal material with gold nanoparticles as optical sensors active medium for the amino acids detection

Abstract

In the article, the possibility of using the cholesteric liquid crystal mixture doped by the gold nanoparticles as an active medium of optical amino acid sensors is shown. The BLO-62 and the 5CB were used as a cholesteric liquid crystal and a nematic liquid crystal correspondingly. This mixture was doped by the gold nanoparticles. The method of gold nanoparticles synthesis is considered and their parameters are determined. Studies on the spectral characteristics of the investigated materials have shown that the addition of gold nanoparticles to the system leads to a significant decreasing in the spectral characteristic steepness and give the possibility of expanding the measurement range of amino acid concentration.     

Phase Diagrams of Cholesteric and Nematic Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline Polymers

Linear mesogenic polyesters with flexible spacers (molecular weight ranging from 9,000 to 20,000) are studied by polarized microscopy. The nematic and cholesteric mesophases are identified by means of the contact method. Two enantiomers form perfect solid, cholesteric and liquid solutions. The sign of the twist of the cholesteric phases are determines.     

Effect of various external factors and pretransitional phenomena on structural transformations in cholesteric liquid crystals

The publications on low-molecular thermotropic liquid crystals with cholesteric structures have been reviewed. The effect of an applied electric field on cholesteric structures is studied. Bistability of the cholesteric-nematic transition, electric field-induced color textures of cholesteric mixtures, and electro-optics of amorphous cholesteric structures are considered as well as pretransitional (blue and TGB) phases, discotic cholesterics, PDLC films, flexoelectric electro-optics, and photostimulated switching in cholesterics.     

Synthesis and Mesogenic Properties of Liquid Crystals Based on Cholesterol and Cinnamic Acid Derivatives

A group of new mesomorphic compounds with cholesterol-based, which have derivative of the cinnamic acid, with different lengths of terminal alkoxy chains, are synthesized and characterized. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by DSC and POM. All target compounds showed a cholesteric phase. For 12-TC and 14-TC besides a cholesteric phase, also revealed a SmA* phase. The experimental results demonstrated that with the increase in the terminal chain lengths, the thermal stability of the smectic mesophases of these liquid crystals was increased, and these compounds shows brilliant color changes in the temperature ranges of cholesteric phase.