Weakly polar liquid crystal dispersed with hydrophobic and hydrophilic aerosils: a broadband dielectric study

Complex dielectric permittivities for parallel orientations of the director n, with the probing electric field E (E || n), of the weakly polar liquid crystal (LC) 4,4'-di-n-hexylazoxybenzene (D6AOB) dispersed with hydrophobic and hydrophilic aerosils, have been measured in the frequency range 20 Hz to 30 MHz. In the nematic phase of D6AOB dispersed with hydrophobic and hydrophilic aerosils, significant changes in the dielectric properties are observed. An additional slow process due to the restricted motion of the molecules in surface layers is observed for hydrophilic samples. The slow process is absent in the hydrophobic samples suggesting that in the LC-hydrophilic aerosils a surface layer is formed at the aerosil interface. The process does not depend on temperature and has a wide distribution of relaxation times. The bulk-like rotation around the short axis for D6AOB dispersed with hydrophilic aerosils has been modified significantly. It seems that this could be due to an overlap between the main bulk-like process and a hindered rotation of molecules around their long axes for molecules that are oriented perpendicular to the probing electric field.     

Dynamics of 4,4'-di-n-heptylazoxybenzene (HAB) studied using dielectric and 2H NMR relaxation measurements

Results of studies of 4,4'-di-n-heptylazoxybenzene (HAB) in the isotropic, nematic and smectic A phases are presented. Two experimental methods were employed: broad band dielectric spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The complex dielectric permittivity, ε*(ω)=ε'(ω)-iε'(ω), was measured in the frequency range 1 kHz-4 GHz. This allowed two main relaxation processes to be separated in all the phases studied: the low frequency (l. f.) process connected with molecular reorientations around the short axes, and the high frequency (h. f.) process connected with the rotations around the long axes. The corresponding relaxation times and activation enthalpies were obtained. The l. f. relaxation time changes step-wise at the phase transitions, whereas the h. f. relaxation time passes smoothly through all the phases. The measurement of ²H spin-lattice relaxation times was carried out throughout the mesophase range at 61.38 MHz. These data were analysed together with the relaxation times measured at 10.00 and 46.04 MHz, available from previous studies. Using suitable theoretical models the principal components of the diffusional tensor, D_‖ and D_⊥, as well as the diffusion coefficients D_R relative to the internal rotation of the phenyl rings, were determined. The results of both studies are compared and discussed.     

Static periodic distortion above bend Freedericksz transition in nematics

The linearized mathematical model developed by Allender, Hornreich and Johnson [1987, Phys. Rev. Lett., 59, 2654], for explaining the appearance of the magnetic field induced stripe phase (SP) above the bend Freedericksz threshold in a nematic close to the smectic transition, is generalized to the case of uniform tilt θ₁ of the nematic director n₀ away from the homeotropic with the field H acting normal to n₀. Calculations of SP threshold and domain wave vector Q are presented for different elastic ratios and tilts θ₁, by exact computation of the ground state homogeneous deformation (HD) under the rigid anchoring hypothesis. Approximate estimates based on energetics, explicitly taking into account the modal symmetry of perturbations, agree well with the results of exact calculations based on the solution of torque equations. For homeotropic alignment (θ₁ = 0) calculations predict that the SP domain width should decrease when the sample is heated away from the smectic transition point; at a given temperature when H is rotated through a small angle with respect to the sample planes the domains should grow wider. These points can be verified experimentally. It is also shown that for sufficiently high initial tilt θ₁ away from the homeotropic director alignment, SP may be quenched. Materials, such as nematic polymers, which exhibit static periodic domains (PD) in splay geometry (of the kind discovered by Lonberg and Meyer, 1985, Phys. Rev. Lett., 55, 718) may also show SP for director tilts θ₁ close to the homeotropic. It appears possible to make tentative predictions regarding the effects of weak anchoring and oblique magnetic fields on the SP threshold and domain wave vector.     

Novel frequency dependence of dielectric biaxiality of surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals

The frequency dependence of the dielectric biaxiality of surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals (SSFLCs) was studied. The principal values of the dielectric tensor ε₁, ε₂ and ε₃ were measured by the MOM (molecular orientational model) method. Three dielectric permittivities were measured for each of two samples. These were the permittivity of the homeotropic cell and the permittivity of the planar homogeneous cell with and without the DC bias. Then the dielectric tensor components were calculated based on the molecular orientational models. We present the theory and experimental procedure of the MOM method. Measurements have been performed on Merck FLC compound SCE-8. The following novel dielectric behaviour was observed, as the DC bias voltage was increased the dielectric permittivity of the planar homogeneous cell decreased at the low frequencies (∼ 1 kHz) while increased at the high frequencies (10kHz ∼). The sign of the dielectric biaxiality ∂εε (= ε₂ - ε₁) inverted around 1 kHz, being negative at low frequencies and positive at high frequencies. The roles of the biaxiality on the dielectric behaviour of SSFLC cells are discussed.     

The influences of surface polarization on NLC cells

The influence of the surface polarization, P_s , on a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) cell is investigated analytically. Flexoelectric polarization is considered, but selective ion absorption is ignored. The differential equations are derived for tilt angle, θ, of director n and the corresponding boundary conditions based on Gibbs free energy, and their solutions discussed. Equations for the reduced threshold voltage, u_th , and the reduced saturation voltage, u_sat , are deduced and the relationships between u_th , u_sat and reduced strength of surface polarization, p, derived.     

High pressure studies of the static permittivity tensor components in the nematic phase of 6CB

The dielectric permittivity tensor components, ε_II and ε_⊥, in the nematic phase of 6CB (4-n-hexyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl) were measured in the pressure range 0.1-130 MPa and the temperature range 12-58°C. The dielectric anisotropy, Δε(p, V, T) = ε_II - ε_⊥, was analysed in isothermal, isobaric and isochoric conditions taking into account the pVT data and the well known Maier and Meier equation. On that basis the nematic order parameter S(p, V, T) was determined. This was used to calculate the parameter Γ relating the interaction potential with the volume (density). Its value Γ = 4.1 agrees very well with other estimates.     

Four unit linking groups III. Liquid crystals of negative dielectric anisotropy

A series of 1-n-alkoxy-2,3-difluoro-4-[3-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)propyloxy]-benzenes has been synthesized. Several homologues exhibit an enantiotropic nematic phase of moderately strong negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε ≈ 5) at or just above room temperature. An analogous series of three-ring diethers also including some (E)-3-allyloxy derivatives possesses enantiotropic, wide range nematic phases also of moderately strong negative dielectric anisotropy, but at elevated temperatures. The synthesis and liquid crystal transition temperatures of these 2,3-difluoroquinone derivatives are described and comparisons are made with the transition temperatures of the corresponding materials incorporating standard central linkages (-, C₂H₄, CH₂O and COO).     

芘基查尔酮的合成及三阶非线性光学性质

合成了一种新的具有潜在应用价值的非线性光学(NLO)有机材料1-(芘-1-基)-3-(4-二甲氨基苯基)丙烯酮(PMAK),并通过 NMR、IR、MS和元素分析等技术手段进行了表征。 采用溶液Nd:YAG激光技术测定了PMAK的三阶非线性光学性质并确定了相关参数。 纳秒实验结果:折射率n₂=-3.5×10^-17 m²/W,吸收系数β=7.0×10^-10 m/W,极化率χ⁽³⁾=2.54×10^-11 esu,分子超极化率γ=3.44×10^-30 esu;皮秒实验结果:n₂=-2.8×10^-18 m²/W,β=8.3×10^-11 m/W,χ⁽³⁾=2.49×10^-12 esu,γ=3.33×10^-31 esu。     

双核茂金属催化剂的合成、表征与应用

使用桥连配体锂盐与MCl₄络合, 合成了4个不同结构的双核茂金属化合物[μ,μ-(CH₂)₃]{[C(H)·(η⁵-C₅H₄)(η⁵-C₁₃H₈)](MCl₂)}₂[M=Zr or Ti](4, 5)和[μ,μ-(CH₂)₃]{[C(H)(η⁵-C₅H₄)(η⁵-C₉H₆)]·(MCl₂)}₂[M=Zr or Ti](6, 7), 配体和化合物都经过核磁氢谱(¹H NMR)、 碳谱(¹³C NMR)、 红外光谱(IR)及元素分析等表征, 确认了化学结构. 以甲基铝氧烷(MAO)为助催化剂, 化合物4~7为催化剂催化丙烯聚合, 考察了聚合温度、 乙烯压力、 铝钛或铝锆比对催化剂活性及聚合物分子量的影响. 结果表明, 多亚甲基桥连双核茂金属是高活性乙烯和丙烯聚合催化剂, 乙烯聚合活性最高达到7.5× 10⁶ g PE/(mol Zr·h)(化合物6), 丙烯聚合活性达 10 × 10⁵ g sPP/(mol Zr·h)(化合物4). 所得间规聚丙烯(sPP)的间规度指数(SI, r) 达到90%. 在同样条件下, 双核化合物的催化活性、 聚合物分子量M_w(> 100000)以及分子量分布(MWD>2.5)均比相应的单核化合物高(M_w<70000, MWD≤2), 表明该体系中存在较强的核效应.     

Influence of temperature on surface tension of three liquid crystal polymers and polyethylene terephtalate

In this work Pressure Volume Temperature (PVT) data for three different liquid crystal polymers (LCPs), namely Vectra A950^® and two LCPs based on 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl (PB-n) (where n is the number of methylene units present in the polymer) and polyethylene terephtalate (PET), were obtained for temperatures ranging from 50 to 300°C and pressures ranging from 0.1 to 200 MPa. The experimental data were fitted to the Flory-Orwoll-Vrij equation of state and used to predict the influence of temperature on the surface tension of the four materials studied.

The surface tension of PET was shown to decrease linearly with increasing temperature. The surface tension of both PB-11 (γ_PB-11) and Vectra A950^® (γ_Vectra) decreased linearly with increasing temperature for temperatures corresponding to the nematic phases of the materials. Abnormal behaviour was observed for the surface tension of PB-8 (γ_PB-8): at temperatures just above T_b (the temperature at which the material became birefringent), γ levelled off and then decreased. A clear discontinuity was observed for both γ_PB-8 and γ_PB-11 near the mesophase to isotropic transition. For both PB-8 and PB-11, γ decreased linearly with increasing temperature for temperatures corresponding to the isotropic phases of the materials.     

1-二茂铁基-3-[(9-乙基)咔唑-3-基]丙烯酮的合成及三阶非线性光学性质

合成了一个新的非线性光学(NLO)有机材料1-二茂铁基-3-[(9-乙基)咔唑-3-基]丙烯酮(FCAK),并通过NMR、IR、MS和元素分析等技术手段进行了表征。 采用粉末Nd∶YAG激光技术测定了标题化合物的三阶非线性光学性质并确定了相关参数。 激光脉冲为4 ns时,非线性折射率n₂=-3.5×10^-18 m²/W,非线性吸收系数β=-2.7×10^-11 m/W,三阶非线性极化率χ⁽³⁾=2.04×10^-12 esu,三阶非线性分子超极化率γ=1.1×10^-30 esu。 激光脉冲为21 ps时,n₂=0.55×10^-18 m²/W,β=-0.6×10^-11 m/W,χ⁽³⁾=3.4×10^-13 esu,γ=0.13×10^-30 esu。     

Synthesis and characterization of side chain cholesteric liquid crystalline polymers containing isosorbide as a chiral centre

A series of new side chain cholesteric liquid crystalline polysiloxanes was synthesized by grafting copolymerization of a mesogenic monomer (M₁) and a chiral monomer (M₂). The chemical structures of the monomers and polymers obtained were confirmed by FTIR, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The influence of the content of the chiral unit on phase behaviour of the polymers is discussed. Monomer M₁ showed nematic and smectic phases on cooling. The polymers P₁ and P₂ showed a nematic phase, P₃-P₅ showed cholesteric Grandjean texture, and P₆ and P₇ exhibited smectic short-rod texture. The polymers containing more than 7.2 mol % and less than 28.6 mol % of the chrial unit showed an induced cholesteric phase. Experimental results demonstrated that the glass transition, melting and clearing temperatures decreased with increasing content of the chiral unit.     

一种新型钼钒多酸化合物的合成、结构与荧光性能

采用水热技术,合成了一种新型四帽Keggin结构多酸化合物[H₃Mo₈^ⅥV₈^ⅣO₄₀(AsO₄)](en)₂(4,4-bipy)₇·9H₂O(en:乙二胺;bipy:联吡啶)(1),并对化合物进行了元素分析、红外光谱、X射线光电子能谱和X射线单晶结构分析。 晶体结构分析表明, 化合物属三斜晶系,P1空间群,晶胞参数a=1.47395(5) nm,b=1.48172(6) nm,c=1.62881(7) nm,α=66.16(3)°,β=87.15(2)°,γ=63.42(1)°,V=2.8723(2) nm³,Z=1,R₁=0.0728,wR₂=0.2014。 化合物由四帽Keggin多酸阴离子、4,4'-联吡啶、乙二胺和结晶水分子构成,化合物分子间存在大量的氢键,使化合物1形成3-D超分子结构。 荧光测试表明,化合物1能发出较强的荧光,有可能成为潜在的光活性材料。     

X-ray diffraction study of the smectic mesophase of some azobenzene-containing polyacrylates

An X-ray study is performed on powder specimens and on stretched oriented fibres of two liquid crystalline polyacrylates containing the azobenzene mesogenic unit with either a 4'-n-pentyloxy (sample 1-4) or 4'-n-hexyloxy (sample 1-5) substituent. The X-ray diffraction patterns of both samples showed the presence of a bilayer smectic C mesophase with the mesogneic groups tilted by an angle β ∼ 45° (1-4) or β ∼ 38° (1-5) with respect to the layer normal. The electron density profile p(z) along the direction normal to the smectic layers was calculated by Fourier inversion and possible structural models of the smectic mesophase are discussed. A partial interdigitation of the terminal alkyloxy substituents appears to occur.     

Synthesis and characterization of side chain cholesteric liquid crystalline elastomers derived from chiral bisolefinic crosslinking units

In this work we prepared a nematic monomer (4'-allyloxybiphenyl 4'-ethoxybenzoate, M₁), a chiral crosslinking agent (isosorbide 4-allyloxybenzoyl bisate, M₂) and a series of new side chain cholesteric liquid crystalline elastomers derived from M₁ and M₂. The chemical structures of the monomers and polymers were confirmed by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The effect of the content of the crosslinking unit on phase behaviour of the elastomers is discussed. Polymer P₁ showed a nematic phase, P₂-P₇ showed a cholesteric phase; P₆ formed a blue Grandjean texture over a broad temperature range 145-209.6°C, with no changed on the cooling. Polymers P₄-P₇, with more than 6 mol % of chiral crosslinking agent, gave rise to selective reflection. Elastomers containing less than 15 mol % of the crosslinking units displayed elasticity, reversible phase transition with wide mesophase temperature ranges, and high thermal stability. Experimental results demonstrated that, with increasing content of crosslinking agent, the glass transition temperatures first fell and then increased; the isotropization temperatures and mesophase temperature ranges decreased.     

Thermogravimetric study on perovskite-like oxygen permeation ceramic membranes

The oxygen permeation properties of mixed-conducting ceramics SrFeCo_0.5O_3−δ (SFCO), Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (BSCFO), La_0.2Sr_0.8Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (LSCFO) and Ba_0.95Ca_0.05Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (BCCFO) were studied by thermogravimetric method in the temperature range 600–900 °C. The results show that the oxygen adsorption rate constants k_a of all material are larger than oxygen desorption rate constants k_d and both k_a and k_d are not strongly dependent on temperature in the studied temperature range. The oxygen vacancy contents δ(N₂) and δ(O₂) in nitrogen and oxygen and their difference Δδ = δ(N₂) − δ(O₂) play an important role in determining the temperature behavior of oxygen permeation flux J_O2.     

基于二茂铁的两个查尔酮衍生物的合成及超快三阶非线性光学响应

二茂铁是合成新颖有机功能材料的基本单元之一。 本文设计并合成了两个基于二茂铁的同分异构查尔酮衍生物:1-二茂铁基-3-(噻吩-2-基)丙烯酮(a)和1-二茂铁基-3-(噻吩-3-基)丙烯酮(b)。 采用超快激光Z-扫描技术(脉宽180 fs,波长532 nm)测定了化合物a和b的三阶非线性光学性质。 结果表明,化合物a吸收系数β=-2.1×10^-12 m/W,折射率n₂=1.9×10^-19 m²/W,分子超极化率γ=5.37×10^-32 esu;化合物b:β=-1.2×10^-13 m/W,n₂=2.0×10^-19 m²/W,γ=4.48×10^-32 esu。 说明在飞秒激光激发下,电荷转移能够在化合物a和b分子内部快速进行,二者均具有优异的超快三阶非线性光学响应。 在B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p)理论水平下,计算了化合物a和b分子轨道能量、极化率和各基团在前线分子轨道中的占有率。 理论计算结果显示,二茂铁基团在化合物a和b前线分子轨道中占有率分别为97%和98%,对两化合物的非线性光学性能起主导作用。     

New low viscosity liquid crystal compounds containing the 2,3,4-trifluorophenyl moiety for active matrix displays

The synthetic route and physical properties for new three-ring derivatives, trans -4- n -alkyl-4'-(2,3,4-trifluorophenyl)bicyclohexanes ( n CCHB3F) with alkyl chain length n from 2 to 5 are presented. They exhibit broad range nematic phases exceeding 40 K, and low viscosity with a low activation enthalpy; they also show low dielectric anisotropies and high birefringence. Their dielectric properties are compared with those of their three-ring homologues with a lateral -NCS group. The Maier-Meier theory is used to evaluate the temperature dependence of the value of 'dielectric anisotropy divided by order parameter ( Δ ε/ S )'. The temperature dependence of Δ ε/ S in several phenylbicyclohexane homologues is explained. Furthermore, the viscosity of nematic liquid crystal mixtures containing these materials is significantly reduced. These mixtures are suitable for the improvement of the switching time of liquid crystal displays using TFT Twisted Nematic (TN) modes.     

Synthesis and physical properties of laterally fluorinated liquid crystals containing 1,3,2-dioxaborinane and cyclohexyl units

Six series of laterally fluorinated liquid crystals containing 1,3,2-dioxaborinane and cyclohexyl units have been synthesized and characterized. Their mesomorphic properties were characterized by polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. All these compounds are thermotropic liquid crystalline materials. All three-ring compounds (series A, B and C) and most four-ring compounds (series D, E and F) exhibit only a nematic phase, while some four-ring compounds with long terminal alkyl chains show nematic, smectic A and even smectic B phases. In addition, four compounds containing a 1,3-dioxane unit were prepared, and their mesomorphic properties compared with their 1,3,2-dioxaborinane analogues. The dielectric anisotropies of selected target compounds were determined; some showed a negative anisotropy. The relationships between the properties and chemical structures of these new compounds are discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel liquid crystal-bearing ionic mesogen

A new ionic liquid crystal bearing a sulphonate group in the mesogenic core, potassium 2-allyloxy-5-cholesteryloxycarbonylbenzenesulphonate, was synthesized. Its chemical structure was determined by various techniques including FTIR and ¹H NMR. Its liquid crystalline properties were characterized by DSC, POM and SAXS; it exhibits a smectic C mesophase. In dielectric constant measurements a maximum Δε value of -43.0 D was obtained at 210°C. The morphology of this ionic liquid crystal indicated a slant array of ionic mesogenic units under a static electric field.