H-shaped liquid crystals inducing nematic order in the isotropic liquid

ABSTRACT

We prepared a homologous series of H-shaped liquid crystals I-n and investigated their phase transition properties using optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. All the compounds exhibited a nematic phase at room temperature. The phase transition behaviour is explained in terms of molecular shape anisotropy. Furthermore, those compounds were found to exhibit electro-optical switching in the isotropic liquid in the vicinity of the nematic–isotropic liquid transition, indicating that the microscopic nematic order with a certain coherence length of the molecules exists in the optically isotropic temperature range.     

Observation of a re-entrant isotropic phase in a pure disc-like liquid crystal

Abstract

We report the observation of an optically isotropic phase in the new disc-like mesogen 2,3,7,8,12,13-hexa(octadecanoyloxy)truxene. On cooling, this optically isotropic phase goes over into a nematic phase, while on heating a columnar phase grows in. To our knowledge this is the first example of a pure discotic mesogen exhibiting an isotropic phase below the temperature existence of a columnar phase. Our findings are supported by refractive index measurements of this compound as a function of temperature.     

Impact of ferroelectric nanoparticles on the dielectric constant of nematic liquid crystals

ABSTRACT

The influence of ferroelectric BaTiO₃ nanoparticles on the dielectric constant in the isotropic phase of the isotropic-nematic phase transition is studied within Landau phenomenological theory. The ferroelectric BaTiO₃ nanoparticles dependence of transition temperature and dielectric constant in the isotropic phase is calculated. We compare our theoretical results with experimental data available in the literature.     

Liquid crystalline photoconductors

Abstract

The influence of molecular order as well as of orientation of charge carrier units on photoconductivity has been investigated for the liquid crystal photoconductors H5T (1), thiadiazole (2) and oxadiazole (3). The discotic H5T (1) and both smectic systems 2 and 3 exhibit a higher photocurrent in the highly ordered mesophase than in the polycrystalline or isotropic state. For 1, results concerning charge carrier transport mechanism and Dember effect are given indicating an electronic charge transport comparable with the one known for single crystalline anthracene.     

Electron or hole liquids in high-T c cuprates: evidence for d-wave order parameter

Phillips and Jung [J.C. Phillips and J. Jung (2002). Phil. Mag. B, 82, 1163] refute nodal properties of the gap function Δ_k and propose an isotropic s-wave picture with electron–phonon interaction as the mechanism for high-T _c superconductivity in the cuprates. Here, we compare and contrast predictions of various physical properties with the gap function Δ_k reflecting three scenarios: (i) isotropic s-wave pairing, (ii) extended s-wave with eight line nodes as championed quite recently by Zhao [G.M. Zhao (2001). Phys. Rev. B, 64, 024503], and (iii) d-wave pairing. By referring to (a) scanning tunnelling microscopy imaging of a Zn impurity, supported by our own subsequent theoretical study, (b) linear decrease of T _c with non-magnetic impurity concentration, and (c) calculations on the extended s-wave scenario applied to tunnelling conductance, strong evidence for nodal properties of Δ_k is given. The contentions of Phillips and Jung [J.C. Phillips and J. Jung (2002). Phil. Mag. B, 82, 1163] should therefore be treated with considerable caution, isotropic s-wave behaviour being truly exceptional among the high-T_c cuprates.     

Evidence for random parallel and anti-parallel packing between neighbouring cholesteryl 4-(2-anthryloxy)butyrate (CAB) molecules in the cholesteric liquid-crystalline phase. Identification of the four photodimers from CAB

Abstract

The packing arrangements of cholesteryl 4-(2-anthryloxy)butyrate (CAB) have been investigated in its cholesteric liquid-crystalline, neat isotropic, and solution isotropic phases by analysing the distributions of photodimers obtained from each. The four photodimers of CAB have been identified unambiguously. Their distribution indicates that neighbouring pairs of CAB in the liquid-crystalline phase experience orientations that are parallel and anti-parallel with about equal probability.     

Two Novel Self-Assemblies of the Calix[4]arene Derivatives and Their Structures

Two newly identified supramolecule structures arise from self-assembly of theCalix[4]arenes derivatives 1 and 2: one ethyl ester of 1 (or 2) enters into the cavity of another 1 (or 2) forming a 1D long chain structure. The interaction force of the molecules and the crystallization energy might be an important driving force for forming theself-assembled calix[4]arene. Supplementary Data relating to this article (atomic coordinates, hydrogen coordinates, isotropic displacement parameters, anisotropic displacement parameters, selected geometrical parameters and observed and calculated structure factors) are deposited in the British Library.     

Orientational fluctuations in a nematic liquid crystal as seen by neutron scattering

Abstract

Real time neutron scattering is used in the study of the slow orientational fluctuations of the director in a nematic sample. A statistical analysis of the observed time series gives the Hurst exponent H and β exponent of the frequency power spectrum that satisfy the scaling relationship β = 2H + 1. In the nematic phase, but not in the solid and in the isotropic liquid phases, the exponent values are those expected for a self-organized critical state. When a magnetic field, of the order of the Freedericksz field is applied, the nematic sample is observed to display persistent oscillations of the director. We confront this observation with theoretical predictions.     

An X-ray scattering study of the lamellar/nematic/isotropic sequence of phases in decylammonium chloride/H2O/NH4Cl

Abstract

An X-ray scattering study is presented of the lamellar/nematic/isotropic sequence in the lyotropic system DACI/H₂O/NH₄Cl. The whole reciprocal space of monocrystalline samples oriented in magnetic fields are reconstructed from their two dimensional sections on photographic films. Intense diffuse scatterings are observed in the lamellar phase, around and away from the Bragg spots. Their evolution close to the lamellar/nematic transition reveals the presence of intense structural fluctuations. They take place over temperature ranges which are significantly greater than those associated with the smectic/nematic transitions in thermotropic liquid crystals. A similar situation is observed in the isotropic phase in the vicinity of the nematic/isotropic transition.     

Synthesis and characterization of two series of pressure-sensitive cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers with optical properties

ABSTRACT

We synthesized two series of cholesteric liquid-crystal elastomers by hydrosilylation among monomers MA containing a cholesteryl group, MB (MC) containing a phenolic hydroxyl group and MD as the crosslinker. The chemical structures of all the monomers and LCEs were confirmed by ¹H NMR and FT-IR. We explored the mesomorphic properties and phase behaviours by TGA, DSC, POM, and XRD. All the LCEs presented elasticity, reversible phase transition, and high thermal stability. For two series of LCEs, the glass transition temperature increased slowly, and the isotropic transition temperature increased obviously. PA-I-PA-V and PB-I-PB-IV displayed selective reflection and colourful Grandjean texture, but PA-VI, PB-V, and PB-VI needed external pressure to show them.     

The writhing on the wall: first tentative steps toward a comprehensive theory of liquid crystal surfaces

A Commentary on the paper ”Theory of the nematic‐isotropic transition in a restricted geometry?, by A. Poniewierski and T.J. Sluckin. First published in Liquid Crystals, 2, 281‐311 (1987).     

Field dependence of the optical activity of a chiral liquid crystal near the isotropic–smectic A transition

Abstract

Chiral liquid crystals exhibit molecular optical activity in the isotropic phase. We have studied the evolution of the optical activity as a function of an applied electric field on a 76·2 μm film of the chiral liquid crystal W7, which exhibits an isotropic–smectic A transition at approximately 40°C. We measured the optical activity by recording the rotation of the plane of polarization of an incident linearly polarized ray of light, provided by a He–Ne laser. The applied biasing electric field is parallel to the direction of the incident beam. We find that at 41·0°C, the plane of polarization shifts from ?1·1° for an applied voltage of 30 V to a maximum of ?4·0° at 70 V. The absolute value of the signal decreases beyond this voltage. These shifts are in the direction of the smectic A phase and are in general larger than those observed as a function of temperature. Close to the isotropic–smectic A phase transition, molecules inside the liquid coalesce to form dynamic coherent groups, which have smectic nature. These groups are randomly oriented with respect to each other in the absence of an electric field. The application of an electric field causes the molecules within these groups to align along the direction of the field and to contribute coherently to the optical activity of the system. The way the molecules align with the field depends on the relative values of the polarizability α, which contributes to the alignment of the long axis of the molecule, and the dipole moment p, which contributes to the alignment of the short axis of the molecule. Our preliminary results and calculations suggest that for small fields, the electric field couples with the dipole moment p, whereas for fields in excess of 70 V, the field couples with the polarizability of the long axis of the molecule, causing a rotational reorientation of the molecules in the isotropic phase. The value of the field at which this reorientation occurs may be controlled by temperature.     

Monocyclic rod-type liquid crystals; 2,5-dialkanoyloxytropones and 5-alkanoyloxy-2-alkoxytropones

Two kinds of monocyclic troponoid mesogens, 2,5-dialkanoyloxytropones (4) and 5-alkanoyloxy2-alkoxytropones (5), were prepared. The former showed monotropic smectic A phases and the virtual isotropic liquid-smectic A transitions of the latter were determined by extrapolation of results in a binary phase diagram. Comparing the mesogenic properties between the tropones 4 and the 2-alkanoyloxy-5-alkoxytropones (1), the alkanoyloxy group at C-5 enhances both the melting points and the transition temperatures of the smectic A phases. From the comparison between 5 and 1, the alkanoyloxy group at C-2 lowers the melting points.     

Non-linear liquid crystal waveguides

Abstract

We consider a cylindrical nematic liquid crystal waveguide with an infinite homogeneous isotropic cladding, and study the propagation of TM and TE modes. The dielectric tensor of the liquid crystal core which governs wave propagation is determined by the configuration of the nematic director. For TM modes, propagating optical fields alter the director configuration, and thus change the dielectric tensor. For both TM and TE modes, we consider the effects of the propagating fields on the order parameter tensor. We use an iterative numerical scheme to determine the propagation constant as a function of optical power. For the TM modes, the propagation constant increases continuously with the power. For the TE modes, an abrupt increase is found.     

Synthesis, structures, and properties of 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzosemiquinone complexes of copper(i) with 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctanes

Two new 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzosemiquinone complexes of copper(i) (2a and2b) with 1,3,5,7-tetraphenyl-1,5-diaza-3,5-diphosphacyclooctane (1a) and 1,5-dibenzyl-3,7-diphenyl-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane (1b), respectively, were synthesized. Their structures in solution and in the crystalline state were studied. According to the results of X-ray diffraction analysis, the copper(i) atom in molecules2a and2b is in a pseudotetrahedral environment and is directly coordinated to two P atoms of the diazadiphosphacyclooctane ligand and two O atoms of the benzosemiquinone ligand. In complex2a, ligand1a adopts a chair-boat conformation typical of all complexes with eight-membered cyclic 1,5-donors studied previously. Unlike ligand1a, the ligand in complex2b adopts a chair-chair (crown) conformation identical with that of the free ligand. Both complexes are paramagnetic in the solid state and in solutions. The parameters of the isotropic ESR spectra of complexes2a and2b are typical of four-coordinateo-semiquinone copper(i) complexes with bidentate bisphosphine ligands. Based on analysis of the isotropic ESR spectra, it was suggested that compound2b in solutions exists as two isomers, which differ in the conformation of the eight-membered heterocycle (chair-boat or chair-chair). Published inIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1806–1812, October, 2000.     

Dielectric and electro-optical properties of a nematic liquid crystalline material with gold nanoparticles

ABSTRACT

We have prepared the composites of a room temperature nematic liquid crystalline material namely 4-(trans-4′-n-hexylcyclohexyl) isothiocyanatobenzoate (6CHBT) and gold nanoparticles (GNPs). Thermodynamic, electro-optical and dielectric properties have been investigated. Effect of dispersion of GNPs on various electro-optical and display parameters of host liquid crystalline material have been studied. Physical parameters such as threshold voltage, dielectric anisotropy and splay elastic constant have altered for composite systems. Due to the dispersion of GNPs, nematic to isotropic transition temperature is significantly increased. Relaxation frequency corresponding to flip-flop motion of the 6CHBT molecules about their short axes has increased due to the presence of GNPs.     

Synthesis and characterization of new liquid crystalline materials containing a non-activated arylazoindolinobenzospiropyranyl group as a chiral unit. Part II

Two series of new liquid crystalline compounds containing a non-activated arylazoindolinobenzospiropyran, ABP-SPAB 1a-1e (series 1) and SPAP-ABPC 2a-2e (series 2), have been synthesized. These LC dyes were characterized by a differential scanning calorimetry polarizing optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electro-optical measurements. All but one of the series 1 compounds examined exhibit monotropic second and/or third transition liquid crystal phases on cooling from the isotropic liquid. In particular, ABP-SPAB 1b shows a monotropic SmC phase, in addition to a SmA phase. In series 2, most of the compounds exhibit a monotropic nematic phase on cooling. SPAP-ABPC 2c forms an enantiotropic nematic phase and a monotropic SmA phase; 2e shows enantiotropic nematic and SmA phases.     

Synthesis and properties of hydroxy tail-terminated cyanobiphenyl liquid crystals

Two series of new hydroxy tail-terminated cyanobiphenyl compounds are described. The 4′-ω-hydroxyalkynyl-4-cyanobiphenyl compounds (1a–1g) were synthesised as the key intermediates to the 4′-?ω-hydroxyalkyl-4-cyanobiphenyl compounds (2a–2g) obtained upon reduction of the acetylenes. Many of these ω-hydroxyalkynyl and ω-hydroxyalkyl cyanobiphenyl compounds exhibit nematic mesophases and they also serve as precursors for the synthesis of other interesting materials. Using density functional theory, we calculate the dipole moment of all relevant ω-hydroxyalkynyl and ω-hydroxyalkyl cyanobiphenyl compounds and find a correlation between the calculated dipole moments and measured crystalline to nematic or isotropic liquid transition temperatures.     

Infrared absorption study of hexapentyloxytriphenylene A discotic liquid crystal

Abstract

Fourier transform infrared absorption (FTIR) spectroscopy has been used to study a discotic liquid crystal. IR spectra are reported as a function of temperature for hexapentyloxytriphenylene (H5T). The order parameter S has been determined using unpolarized radiation and by comparing the spectra of the discotic phase with that of the isotropic phase. Variations in frequency for some of the most significant bands are presented as a function of temperature.     

Modulated nematic structures and chiral symmetry breaking in 2D

ABSTRACT

We have studied the properties of biaxial particles interacting via an anisotropic pair potential, involving second-rank quadrupolar and third-rank octupolar coupling terms, using Monte Carlo simulation. The particles occupy the sites of a 2D square lattice and the interactions are restricted to nearest neighbours. The system exhibits spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking from an isotropic phase to a chiral modulated nematic phase, composed of ambidextrous chiral domains. When twofold axes of quadrupolar and octupolar tensors coincide this modulated phase appears to be the ambidextrous cholesteric phase with pitch comparable to a few lattice spacings. The associated phase transition is first order.