External-stimuli responsive photophysics and liquid crystal properties of self-assembled "phosphole-lipids"

A series of new amphiphilic phosphonium materials that combine the electronic features of phospholes with self-assembly features of lipids were synthesized. Variable concentration/temperature and 2D NMR studies suggested that the systems undergo intramolecular conformation changes between a "closed" and "open" form that are triggered by intermolecular interactions. The amphiphilic features of the phospholium species also induce liquid crystalline and soft crystal phase behavior in the solid state, which was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM), and variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction (VT-PXRD). The studies revealed that both conjugated backbones and counteranions work together to organize the systems into different morphologies (liquid crystal/soft crystal). Dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]phosphole-based compounds exhibit enhanced emission in the solid state and at low temperature in solution due to aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE). Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) induced via the alkoxybenzyl group at the phosphonium center in the fused-ring systems can be effectively suppressed through intermolecular charge transfer (ICT) processes within the main scaffold of a nonfused system, which was confirmed by static and dynamic fluorescence spectroscopy. The dynamic features of these new materials also endow the systems with external-stimuli responsive photophysical properties that can be triggered by temperature and/or mechanical forces.     

T-型氢键液晶复合物的制备与液晶行为

以不具有液晶行为的2,6-二[N,N′-二-(4-烷基苯甲酰基)]氨基吡啶(A系列)和4-正烷氧基苯甲酸(D系列)作为氢键液晶复合物的单体,组装成T-型氢键液晶系列复合物(AmDn)。用红外光谱对其结构进行了表征,用DSC及偏光显微方法对其液晶行为进行了研究。结果表明:所合成的21种复合物分子间存在氢键且都具有向列相。通过调整2,6-二[N,N′-二-(4-烷基苯甲酰基)]氨基吡啶分子上柔性烷基的长度和极性,可以有效地调节它与4-烷氧基苯甲酸形成的氢键复合物的液晶相变温度以及液晶态的稳定性;增加2,6-二[N,N′-二-(4-烷基苯甲酰基)]氨基吡啶分子上柔性烷基的长度,其复合物AmDn的液晶相温度范围趋于变窄,清亮点逐渐下降,其液晶态稳定性也逐渐下降;以2,6-二[N,N′-二-(4-烷基苯甲酰基)]氨基吡啶分子替代2,6-二[N,N′-二-(4-烷氧基苯甲酰基)]氨基吡啶分子,可以降低分子的极性,使其单体的熔点及其氢键复合物AmDn的相变温度下降。     

Luminescence behavior as a probe for phase transitions and excimer formation in liquid crystals: dodecylcyanobiphenyl

The luminescence behavior of a liquid crystal, dodecylcyanobiphenyl, as a function of temperature, is reported. The fluorescence intensity exhibits discontinuities at temperatures which correspond to the phase transitions: crystalline — smectic — isotropic. The results are interpreted in terms of singlet monomer and excimer formation.     

Use of Aggregation‐Induced Emission for Selective Detection of Phase Transformation during Evaporative Crystallization of Hexaphenylsilole

Crystallization of organic molecules is quite complicated because the crystallization process is governed by weak intermolecular interactions. By exploiting aggregation‐induced emission (AIE), we attempted to realize the selective detection of phase transformation during the evaporative crystallization of hexaphenylsilole (HPS), which shows different fluorescent colors in the amorphous and crystalline phases. No fluorescence emission was observed in the HPS solution immediately after dropping on the glass substrate due to the non‐radiative deactivation induced by intramolecular rotational or vibrational motion, suggesting that HPS exists as a monomer in solution. As time elapsed after dropping, green emission first appeared, which changed to blue after solvent evaporation, because of phase transformation from the amorphous state to the crystalline state. This phenomenon supports not only the two‐step nucleation model involving an intermediate such as a liquid‐like cluster prior to nucleation but also the real‐time detection of Ostwald's rule of stages during evaporative crystallization.     

Switchable fluorescent organogels and mesomorphic superstructure based on naphthalene derivatives

Bisurea-functionalized naphthalene organogelators via cooperative hydrogen bonding and pi-pi stacking interaction were designed and synthesized. The gelators showed excellent gelling capability in various solvents and performed switchable fluorescence in the gel state. The fluorescent emission of these compounds strongly depends on the aggregation of the fluorophore and is very sensitive to the temperature and chemical stimuli. A stronger and red-shifted emission was found in the gel state compared with the original solution. The gel-sol transition of the systems, as well as the fluorescent emission, is reversibly controlled by a change of the temperature or upon alternative addition of fluoride anions and protons. The influence of fluoride anions on the fluorescence and gel-sol processes is a result of the dissociation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds by bonding of fluoride anions with urea groups of the gelator. The obtained sol is turned to the gel state again upon addition of trifluoroacetic acid. Furthermore, polarizing optical microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering indicated that the gelator exhibited the liquid crystalline property and displayed the column phase.     

新型侧链液晶M5MPP/MMEANB高聚物的合成与表征

以4,4'-二羟基联苯、4-硝基苯胺、二溴己烷、甲基丙烯酸、氯代乙醇为原料合成了单体甲基丙烯酸[5(4'-甲氧基联苯4氧基)戊基]酯(M5MPP)、4-硝基偶氮苯基甲基-2-甲基丙烯酸酯基乙胺(MMEANB),并完成了单体的聚合和共聚,得到了含有非线性光学活性基团(NLO)的侧链液晶高分子,对其结构进行了表征.结果表明,均聚物PM5MPP及共聚物(M5MPP/MMEANB)属双向液晶高分子;PMMEANB属于非晶性高分子.证实了分子间吸电子与给电子基团相互作用有利于提高液晶高分子热稳定性,共聚物(M5MPP/MMEANB)具有较宽的液晶相温度范围.     

Synthesis,photochemical and phase behavior of linear and hyperbranched photoactive benzylidene liquid‐crystalline polyesters

Photoactive hyperbranched benzylidene liquid‐crystalline polyester (PAHBP) and photoactive linear benzylidene liquid‐crystalline polyester (PALBP) were synthesized by solution polycondensation with pyridine as an acid acceptor. PAHBP and PALBP were thoroughly characterized with Fourier transform infrared, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry, fluorescent spectrophotometry, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and polarized optical microscopy. Both polymers exhibited nematic mesophase. The glass‐transition temperature and liquid‐crystalline isotropic temperature of PAHBP were higher than those of PALBP. During photolysis under ultraviolet light, both polymers underwent an intermolecular photocycloaddition reaction, and the photoactivity of PAHBP was faster than that of PALBP; this was further confirmed by photoviscosity studies. PALBP and PAHBP were fluorescent in nature. An increase in the fluorescence intensity with the time of ultraviolet‐light irradiation was observed for both PAHBP and PALBP. The rate of increase in the fluorescence intensity of the linear analogue (PALBP) was higher than that of the hyperbranched polymer (PAHBP). This behavior could be attributed to the attainment of better planarity in the case of the linear one but not in the case of PAHBP because of the rapid crosslinking of PAHBP leading to an irregular architecture. This behavior was further confirmed by the calculation of the steric energy from corresponding model compounds. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3986–3994, 2006     

The novel rufigallol-based liquid crystals with cholesterol units: synthesis,mesomorphic and photophysical properties

Three novel rufigallol derivatives with four alkyl chains and two cholesteric units 6a, 6b and 6c were prepared in yields of 83–88%. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by DSC, POM and XRD analysis, suggesting that compounds 6a, 6b and 6c possess the ordered hexagonal columnar mesophase. The long alkyl chains contribute to the low phase transition temperature. Sample 6c with four dodecyl chains and two cholesterol units is a room temperature liquid crystal between 31°C and 87°C. Compounds 6a, 6b and 6c also have good fluorescence emission between 400 nm and 500 nm. The studies on CD spectra implied that the chiralities of cholesterol moieties are successfully transferred to the liquid crystalline core. Samples 6a, 6b and 6c are the first fluorescence liquid crystal based on rufigallol core with chiral cholesterol units.     

Liquid‐Crystalline Mesogens Based on Cyclo[6]aramides: Distinctive Phase Transitions in Response to Macrocyclic Host–Guest Interactions

Producing macrocyclic mesogens that are responsive to guest encapsulation presents a significant challenge. Cyclo[6]aramides, a type of macrocycle with a hydrogen‐bond‐constrained backbone, exhibit thermotropic lamellar, discotic nematic, hexagonal, and rectangular columnar mesophases over a considerably wide temperature range, including at room temperature. Additionally, cyclo[6]aramides show unusual mesophase transitions from lamellar to hexagonal columnar phase mediated by macrocyclic host–guest (H–G) interactions between the macrocycles and alkylammonium salts. The phase transition, triggered by an organic guest engaging in H–G interactions with a macrocyclic cavity, provides a novel strategy for manipulating the properties of liquid‐crystalline materials. The crystal structure of a homologous cyclo[6]aramide reveals a disk‐shaped, near‐planar molecular backbone that facilitates intermolecular π–π stacking and leads to columnar assembly.     

末端四苯乙烯荧光团标记法研究双亲性嵌段聚合物的自组装行为

以四苯乙烯类分子2-溴-2-甲基-丙酸-3-(4-三苯乙烯基-苯氧基)-丙醇酯(E)作为引发剂,N-异丙基丙烯酰胺和苯乙烯为原料,通过活性自由基聚合,合成了末端具有聚集诱导发光(AIE)活性发光体的双亲性嵌段聚合物G。 详细研究了AIE活性引发剂E和嵌段聚合物G在不同状态下的光物理行为差异。结果表明,在相同浓度条件下,随着温度的升高,引发剂E分散液的荧光强度不断下降。 而嵌段聚合物的荧光强度先上升,当温度超过37 ℃后,嵌段聚合物的荧光强度不断下降。 同样地,通过改变引发剂E和嵌段聚合物G在四氢呋喃和水混合溶剂中的浓度发现,随着浓度的减小,引发剂E的荧光强度不断下降,而嵌段聚合物分散液在改变分散液浓度时荧光强度的变化规律和改变温度时荧光强度的变化趋势相似。 通过监控双亲性嵌段聚合物末端挂接的AIE活性发光分子发光性质的变化可以间接表征其聚集态结构的变化。     

Small-angle X-ray scattering study of liquid crystalline polycarbonates based on α-methyl stilbene mesogen and methylene-containing flexible spacer

Crystallization and melting behavior are studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) for a series of recently synthesized monotropic liquid crystalline polycarbonates based on α-methyl stilbene mesogen and methylene flexible spacer. The one-dimensional electron density correlation function is used to obtain long period, crystal thickness, and linear crystallinity from the Lorentz-corrected SAXS intensity. Changes in these parameters during nonisothermal crystallization and melting are explained by a model of dual crystal populations. The primary crystals form first using the liquid crystalline phase as crystal nuclei, while smaller and less perfect crystals form later from the isotropic phase at low temperature. The results of the real-time SAXS study of isothermal crystallization also support the view that the nematic phase serves as crystal nuclei for fast crystallization. An odd-even effect in crystal thickness and linear crystallinity is observed in all the SAXS experiments mentioned above. The results of this study and our complementary wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) investigation show clearly that the difference in the position of the neighboring carbonate dipoles on a chain affects structural organization both at the unit cell level and at the level of the crystal in these monotropic LCPs. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effect of cholesteric liquid crystalline elastomer with binaphthalene crosslinkings on thermal and optical properties of a liquid crystal that show smectic A‐cholesteric phase transition

A side‐chain polysiloxane cholesteric liquid crystalline elastomer (ChLCE) with binaphthalene derivate as crosslinkings and cholesterol derivate as liquid crystalline monomers was designed and synthesized. A binaphthyl chiral dopant (CD) was synthesized as well. The chemical structures and liquid crystalline properties of the ChLCE and the CD were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, element analyses, differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy measurements. The helical twisting power of the ChLCE exhibited a turning point with changing temperature and was smaller than that of the CD. In addition, the effect of the ChLCE on phase transition temperatures and thermal‐optical properties of a liquid crystal that show smectic A (SmA)‐cholesteric (Ch) phase transition was studied. Worthily, the testing of the reflection wavelength with changing temperature suggested that the adding of the ChLCE in liquid crystals that show SmA‐Ch phase transition can expedite their SmA‐Ch transition. In addition, the network structure of the ChLCE may play a significant role in the accelerating of the transition. These properties provided theoretical and experimental foundations for applying ChLCE in thermally sensitive liquid crystal devices requiring fast response, such as thermally controllable windows, materials and displays. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel fluorescent main-chain liquid crystalline ionomers containing Eu(III) ions

Novel nematic fluorescent main-chain liquid crystalline ionomers containing Eu(III) ions (Eu-LCI) were synthesised by the use of bis(4-(chlorocarbonyl)phenyl) decanedioate (BD), 4,4-dihydroxybiphenyl (D), 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (B) and anhydrous europium chloride. The chemical structures, liquid crystalline behaviours and fluorescence properties of Eu-LCI were characterised by various experimental techniques. The introduction of small amounts of europium ions endowed the LCI with excellent luminescence properties. POM results showed that europium ions did not change the liquid crystalline texture of the LCI. Fourier transform infrared imaging showed that europium ions were evenly distributed in the matrices of ionomers. A schematic diagram of nematic fluorescent LCI was established to demonstrate the interaction and distribution of the components. Eu-LCI showed reversible mesomorphic phase transitions, wide mesophase temperature ranges and high thermal stability. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that decomposition temperatures (5% weight loss) were greater than 308°C in all Eu-LCI. Eu-LCI can emit red light when excited. The luminescence intensity of Eu-LCI gradually increased with increase in Eu(III) ions from 0.3 to 1.5 mol%. The temperature dependence of luminescent intensity was studied in the liquid crystalline phase, where the fluorescence intensity of Eu-LCI decreased monotonically with increase in temperature.     

Donor-acceptor-donor-type liquid crystal with a pyridazine core

[structure: see text] A new liquid crystalline material having an ethylenedioxythiophene-pyridazine-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT-PDZ-EDOT) core with two peripheral long alkyl chains was prepared. The designated donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D)-type core structure induced a distinct smectic liquid crystalline phase due to the strong intermolecular interaction. The photophysical property and the layer structure of the liquid crystal were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and cyclic voltammetry.     

Experimental and DFT generated Raman study of two bent-core monomeric liquid crystalline compounds

The temperature dependence Raman spectra of two liquid crystalline compounds defined by the chemical formula of 3,5-difluoro-4?-(4-pentylcyclohexyl)-(1,1?-biphenyl)-4-carbonitrile and 3,4,5-trifluoro-4?-(4-pentylcyclohexyl)-1,1?-biphenyl is being first reported in this study. These compounds are bent-core monomers and their bent nature has been verified by the Density Functional Theory (DFT). The temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy has been widely used in understanding the effects of temperature-based phase transitions on the molecular vibrations. The same spectroscopic technique; helps to understand various phase transitions temperature in the liquid crystalline compounds (LC) and also their molecular arrangements during the phase transitions. This study has successfully revealed the nature of intermolecular interactions between the investigated compounds during the phase transitions and the correlation between the observed Raman spectra and the measurement temperature. The contributions of different types of chemical bonds in the investigated LC compounds to their recorded Raman spectra have also been discussed in detail. In predicting the observed Raman spectra, the theoretical Raman spectra obtained from the DFT calculation was used as a reliable tool. In the light of the calculated data, the peak position, line width, and integral intensity data for each band in the observed Raman spectra were reported.     

Mechanical and temperature dependant properties, structure and phase transitions of elastic polypropylenes

A new metallocene catalyst applied to propene polymerization provides an expansion of the properties of polypropylene (PP) by generating semi-crystalline materials having 0-60% crystallinity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate such low crystalline elastomeric polypropylene (ePP) samples in order to compile further information on their crystal structure and the related phase transitions in the temperature range of 298-423 K.Calorimetric and stress strain measurements of mentioned ePP in comparison with high crystalline PP (X_c = 62%) confirms the new class of low crystalline PPs. These polymers combine the properties of a thermoplast, like excellent processability and ductility using heat, with those of elastomers. Temperature dependant WAXS investigations were carried out to determine crystallinity, crystalline structure, crystal modifications and crystal size in the temperature range from 298 to 423 K. As a function of temperature, apparent α- and γ-crystalline modifications were correlated and discussed concerning the phase transitions observed calorimetrically. The presented study includes calorimetric, tensile and X-ray scattering measurements of five metallocene PPs with crystallinities of 0%, 5%, 18%, 36% and 62%.     

Effect of the thermal history on the phase transition and the liquid crystalline structure of thermotropic polyesters

A series of triad type thermotropic polyesters based on phenylsulfonyl hydroquinone and α,ω-bis(4-carboxyphenoxy)alkane was prepared, and the effect of the thermal history on the phase transition and the liquid crystalline structure of the polyesters was studied. The phase transition was significantly affected by the thermal history. When annealed at various temperatures, multiple endotherms were observed for all polyesters in DSC thermograms. A phase stability concept was employed to explain the complicated phase transitions. The time evolution of the liquid crystalline structure was investigated by optical microscopy and transmitted light intensity measurement under crossed polars during annealing. The steady decrease in the density of disclinations with accompanying increase of transmitted light intensity was observed. Depending on the surface conditions of the liquid crystal polymer film, two markedly different domain growth patterns and different textures were found on isothermal annealing; the continuous wormlike texture and the discontinuous droplet texture. The structural relaxation of the deformed texture during annealing was also studied. When shear was applied, the characteristic banded texture was formed in all polyesters.     

Intramolecular proton-transfer processes starting at higher excited states: a fluorescence study on 2-butylamino-6-methyl-4-nitropyridine N-oxide in nonpolar solutions

This article describes the exceptional photophysics of 2-butylamino-6-methyl-4-nitropyridine N-oxide (2B6M). It is known from the literature that this compound may undergo excited-state intra- or intermolecular proton-transfer reactions. In nonpolar solvents, 2B6M exhibits an unusual fluorescence behavior: there is a substantial difference between the relative band intensities of the excitation and absorption spectra. Furthermore, in emission two bands are observed, and their relative intensities depend on the excitation wavelength, thus violating the Kasha-Vavilov rule. It is the objective of this research to interpret these results. For this purpose, steady-state fluorescence excitation and emission spectra in the liquid state were recorded and quantum yields were determined for the two types of emission. In addition, absorption spectra were measured at room temperature and under low-temperature conditions. Finally, fluorescence lifetimes of the emitting species were determined using the time-correlated single photon counting technique. The results suggest that in the liquid state only one (monomeric) ground state species dominates, which can emit via two different pathways (from the normal and the tautomeric excited state). The excitation spectra point at two different internal proton-transfer processes, one starting at the S1 state and one starting at the S2 state. On the basis of the measured lifetimes and fluorescence quantum yields, a kinetic scheme was completed that can quantitatively explain the observations.     

Interface induced crystal structures of dioctyl-terthiophene thin films

Temperature dependent structural and morphological investigations on semiconducting dioctyl-terthiophene (DOTT) thin films prepared on silica surfaces reveals the coexistence of surface induce order and distinct crystalline/liquid crystalline bulk polymorphs. X-ray diffraction and scanning force microscopy measurements indicate that at room temperature two polymorphs are present: the surface induced phase grows directly on the silica interface and the bulk phase on top. At elevated temperatures the long-range order gradually decreases, and the crystal G (340 K), smectic F (348 K), and smectic C (360 K) phases are observed. Indexation of diffraction peaks reveals that an up-right standing conformation of DOTT molecules is present within all phases. A temperature stable interfacial layer close to the silica-DOTT interface acts as template for the formation of the different phases. Rapid cooling of the DOTT sample from the smectic C phase to room temperature results in freezing into a metastable crystalline state with an intermediated unit cell between the room temperature crystalline phase and the smectic C phase. The understanding of such interfacial induced phases in thin semiconducting liquid crystal films allows tuning of crystallographic and therefore physical properties within organic thin films.     

Polymer-solvent co-crystallization during thermoreversible gelation in solutions of the helical polypeptide PBLG

Macromolecular aggregation during thermoreversible gelation in solutions of the helical polypeptide poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) [PBLG] in benzyl alcohol [BA] were studied by small angle neutron and small angle X-ray scattering. Gelation is apparent as a large increase in the intensity scattered at low angles, signifying formation of a microfibrillar PBLG network. The aggregated phase in isotropic gels from semidilute solutions contains about 28% solvent. A periodic structure is observed when gelation is induced by rapid cooling to a low temperature, but not by slow cooling or gelation at a higher temperature. In gels from concentrated liquid crystal solutions, two crystalline structures are observed, depending on whether the solution is rapidly quenched and then annealed or slowly gelled at an elevated temperature. A phase diagram for the PBLG/BA system is presented and the observed microstructural transitions are rationalized in terms of a gelation mechanism involving a combination of liquid-liquid phase separation and crystallization in the form of polymer-solvent co-crystals.