Characterization of the Hexatic B and Crystal B phases by Optical Microscopy

Recent investigations concerning the structure of the B Phase have unearthed a variety of packing arrangements of the molecular layers for this semctic modification. Two general structures have been discovered; one in which the B Phase has three-dimensional crystalline order (crystal B), and one that is characterized by short-range in-plane positional ordering of the constituent molecules, and long-range bond orientational order, both within and between the layers (heatic B). In this present study n-hexyl 4′-n-pentyloxybiphenyl-4-carboxylated (650BC) has been synthesized and its smectic phases charaterized. Typically, this ester exhibits an A, B,E, phase sequence, with the B Phase being of the hexactic type. The Synthesis, microscopic textures, and miscibility studise ar reported here. The results show that while the two types of B phase appear co-miscibly by conventional optical mehtods, in fact X-ray diffraction studies show that a transition occurs between the two phases in certain binary mixtures. Thus, the hexactic B and crystal B modification are thermodynamically distint phasaes.     

Texture growth and screw dislocations in smectic A phases

The formation of the textures of smectic A phases was investigated. In planar oriented samples the A phases grow in the shape of rods without defects. The velocity of growth is strongly anisotropic with its maximum normal to the director orientation. In non oriented samples the smectic A texture is growing in batonnets with defect structure to give focal conic textures. The maximum growth velocity of the batonnets is parallel to the director orientation. Since this would contradict to the Wulff theorem we assume a growth mechanism with a screw dislocation.     

Theoretical and experimental studies on optically tunable hydrogen bonded liquid crystal complex derived from mesogenic and non-mesogenic aromatic compound

A novel hydrogen bonded liquid crystal (HBLC) complex is synthesized from non-mesogenic benzylmalonic acid (BMA) and mesogenic 4-nonyloxybenzoic acid (9OBA). Structural properties and optimized vibrational frequencies of BMA + 9OBA have been studied by FT-IR spectrum. The weak intermolecular interaction between the molecules is proved by NBO and Mulliken charge distribution analysis. The optical and thermal properties are investigated by POM, DSC, UV-Visible and PL techniques. The present HBLC complex exhibits schlieren textures of nematic, broken focal conic texture of smectic C and multicolored mosaic texture of smectic G phases respectively which is not observed in the pure mesogen (9OBA). The HBLC complex geometry is optimized by DFT method at the level of B3LYP basis set 6311G (d, p). The electronic properties of HBLC complex such as, NBO, HOMO-LUMO, ESP and Mulliken charge distribution are also studied. A noteworthy observation is brought out by identifying the presence of photoluminescence in nematic phase due to the variation in intermolecular interaction of the mesophase. The utility of the same complex is discussed. The phase width, thermal stability factor, tilt angle, phase transition temperature and its enthalpy values are reported.     

Peculiarities of inversion walls and singular points in oriented textures of nematic mesophase

In this work the nature and peculiarities of the inversion walls and singular points, which can spontaneously arise or can be stimulated in the homeotropic and planar oriented textures of the thermotropic nematogens, have been investigated for large temperature interval. The interaction force and mean approach velocity of the singular points, having opposite optical sign, have been calculated. The optical mappings and sketches of the inversion walls and singularities, taking place in the oriented textures of the nematogens, are presented. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Phase transition studies of the liquid crystal 4-[4-n-hexyloxybenzylidene amino] azobenzene thermal microscopy and DSC

The phase transition temperatures of the liquid crystal 4-[4-n-hexyloxybenzylideneamino]-azobenzene have been investigated by the thermal microscopy and the Differential Scanning Calorimetric (DSC) studies. These studies confirm that this mesogen exhibits nematic, smectic A and smectic B phases. The transition enthalpies, transition entropies and also the textures exhibited by the different phases are presented.     

The Influence of the Shape and the Incompatibility of Molecular Moieties on the Structure of Smectic Mesophases

For selected compounds with perfluorinated chains the structure of smectic phases was investigated by X-ray diffraction measurements. For rod-like compounds with only one terminal perfluorinated chain the incompatibility of the hydrocarbon and the fluorocarbon moieties leads to a segregation of both parts which can be considered as microphase separation. For swallow-tailed compounds the structure of smectic phases depends on the position and the length of the perfluorinated chains. If the steric interaction dominates an antiparallel packing of the molecules within the smectic layers is favoured. If the incompatibility of the hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon moieties is of importance the smectic layers are distorted and at lower temperatures the layer structure is transformed into a columnar structure.     

Thermal Microscopy and DSC Studies of 4-[4-n-pentyloxybenzylideneamino] Azobenzene

Phase transition studies of the liquid crystal, 4-[4-n-pentyloxybenzylidene–amino]–azobenzene (PBAAB) have been investigated by thermal microscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) studies. From these studies it is confirmed that the compound, PBAAB exhibits nematic, smectic A and smectic B phases. The textures exhibited by different phases are presented. The enthalpies and entropies at various phase transitions are also reported.     

Structure parameters in mixed liquid crystals (I). Layer thickness of the smectic mixed phases B in the binary system of ethyl-4-(4-ethoxy-benzylidene-amino)-cinnamate and terephthylidene-bis-(4-n-butyl-aniline)

The thickness of the smectic layers in binary liquid crystalline mixed phases of the phase type B are measured in dependence on the concentration. Both components have different B-phase structures. In the part of the binary system with a smectic polymorphism BA the long molecular axes are perpendicular to the layer planes. If the polymorphism is changed by the appearance of a mixed phase of the type C, i.e. the smectic polymorphism BCA exists, there occurs a transition into the B-phase structures with tilted axes, the tilt angle of which is changed continuously with the concentration.     

Thermo‐morphological properties of the smectic C* mesophase in new chiral salicyaldimine liquid crystals

Specific textures and their temperature transformations in large temperature interval for the chiral smectic C* mesophase of new liquid crystalline materials, synthesized by our group, have been investigated in detail. Temperature dependences of the pitch of helical structure of the smectic C* mesophase have been determined for these materials. (© 2007 WILEY ‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The Structure and Unusual Optical Textures of Smectic C2 Phases of New Tail-to-Tail Twins

New tail-to-tail twins with alkyl or perfluorinated spacers were synthesized. The mesomorphic properties were studied by polarizing microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements. It was found that the smectic C phase is a Sc₂ phase with alternating tilt and an intercalated structure. The alternating tilt gives rise to an unusual schlieren texture which exhibits not only singularities with the strength s = ±1 but also those with s = ±1/2 and s = ±3/2.     

A Smectic-A Type Lamellar Amphiphilic Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Phase

Preliminary polar micrographic studies suggest in the binary cesium perfluoro-octanoate/heavy water system more than one smectic type phase exists in the lamellar region. The lamellar phase on the low water side of the nematic was examined and from the micrographic textures it is suggested the structure of the phase is related to the classical thermotropic smectic-A S_A mesophase.     

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.     

Study of Molecular Structure,Mesomorphism and Their Relation with Molecular Rigidity-Flexibility

Entirely smectogenic novel chalconyl homologue derivatives of thermotropic liquid crystals (LC) have been synthesized with a view to understanding and establishing the effects of molecular structure on liquid crystal properties and the degree of liquid crystallinity. The homologous series consists of 12 (C₁ to C₁₆) homologues with absence of nematogenic character throughout the present series. The textures of smectic phase are fan shaped or batonnet type of smectic-A or of smectic-C. Phase transition temperatures and thermotropic data were determined by an optical polarizing microscope equipped with a heating stage. The smectic–isotropic (Sm-I) phase transition curve and the Cr-Sm transition curve behave in normal manner in the phase diagram. Analytical and spectral data confirm molecular structures of novel homologues. The average thermal stability for smectic is 139.42°C and the mesogenic phase length ranges from 3.5°C to 79.6°C. Mesogenic properties are compared with the structurally similar known series.     

Pressure Study of a Hexatic B and Crystal B Phase

Pressure temperature phase diagrams of two compounds exhibiting smectic B phases are presented. In one compound, the smectic B phase is liquid (no long range positional correlations) and is called a hexatic B phase, whereas in the other the smectic B phase is crystalline in nature. “Transition bars”, which are often observed at a smectic A to crystal B transition are observed above 1.5 kbar (and not below) in the former compound and the smectic A phase appears quite piezo-resistant. In contrast, for the latter compound, the smectic A phase disappears above 1.94 kbars. These results suggest that the two smectic phases are stabilized by different forces and we suggest a model.     

A Novel Method for Study of a Smectic Phase Obtained from a Strongly-Deformed Nematic Texture

A simple method for the growth of conventional or reentrant smectic phases from strongly-deformed conventional or reentrant nematics, is proposed. It permits the formation of surface-induced and surface-governed conventional and/or reentrant smectic textures which can be studied from the scientific point of view or can be applied in the laser-addressed thermo-optic smectic liquid crystal storage displays for the creation of static figures. The simple method proposed might be applied for study of many smectics arrising either from conventional or reentrant nematic phases under cooling or heating.     

Mesomorphism dependence on terminal end groups

A novel homologous series of liquid crystals (LC) 4-(4′-n-alkoxy cinnamoyloxy)-4′′-bromobenzylbenzoate was synthesized and studied with a view to understanding and establishing the relation between LC properties and the molecular structure. The novel series comprises 11 members, and all the members exhibit mesomorphism as enantiotropic smectic. None of the homologues are nematogenic, even in the monotropic condition. Transition temperatures were determined by an optical polarizing microscope equipped with a heating stage. The textures of smectic phase are of the type A or C. The transition curves Sm-I and Cr-Sm behave in a normal manner in the phase diagram. An odd-even effect is exhibited by the Sm-I transition curve. Thermal stability for smectic is 102.6°C. Mesomorphism commences from the very first member of the series. The series is entirely smectogenic and of middle-order melting type whose mesomorphic phase length ranges from 7.4°C to 60.9°. Analytical and spectral data confirmed the molecular structures of homologues. The mesomorphic properties of the present series are compared with structurally similar homologous series.     

Density Studies in Polymorphic Liquid Crystal N- (p-n-Heptyloxybenzylidene) p-n-Pentylaniline

Density studies in polymorphic liquid crystal, N-(p-n-heptyloxybenzylidene) p-n-pentyl-aniline is carried out in isotropic liquid, nematic, smectic A, smectic C, smectic B and smectic G phases. The temperature variation of density in all the mesophases confirms that isotropic liquid to nematic, nematic to smectic A, smectic C to smectic B, smectic B to smectic G transitions are of first order while smectic A to smectic C transition is of second order. The density variation across smectic C to smectic B is greater than that of any other transition. Thermal expansion coefficients are also calculated.     

Liquid crystal–gold nanoparticle composites

Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as extremely promising materials to alter and improve the properties of liquid crystals (LCs) used, for example, in device applications. In this paper, we summarise recent work from our lab that aims to provide a fundamental understanding of structure–property and composition–property relationships governing LC–NP interactions, which may point to new directions for major improvements in the efficiency of LCs used in display applications. A variety of LC hosts (phases) doped with surface-functionalised gold NPs have been systematically studied ranging from one-dimensionally ordered nematic over two-dimensionally ordered smectic to three-dimensionally ordered columnar phases. Significant progress with respect to LC–NP interactions was made for NP-doped nematic phases. Here, the observation of an unusual texture for Au NP-doped nematic LCs, that is, the formation of birefringent stripe textures and the induction of homeotropic alignment of the nematic LC similar to chiral finger (or fingerprint) textures, provided the basis for numerous experimental studies using Au NPs with different core sizes and surface functionalities.     

Induced smectic A phase by homeotropic orientation in 4, n-octyloxybenzoic acid (OOBA) at nematic-smectic C phase transition

Using homeotropic and quasi-homeotropic orientation in thin film of 4-n-octyloxybenzoic acid, we indicated intermediate smectic A-like state during the nematic-smectic C phase transition. Pseudoisotropic and focal conic textures are characteristic for homeotropic and quasihomeotropic orientations respectively. The smectic A-like state induced by the boundary conditions exists in a very short (about 0.5 °C) temperature region.     

Mesomorphism dependence on lateral substitution and central bridge

A novel ester homologous series was synthesized and studied with a view to understanding and establishing the effects of molecular structure on liquid crystal properties with a common laterally substituted –OCH3 group and changing terminal groups. The novel series consists of twelve members. The C₁ to C₃ members are not liquid crystals and the rest of the members C₄ to C₁₆ are smectogenic without exhibition of nematic character. Textures of smectic phase are focal conic fan shaped of the type A or C. The transition temperatures and textures of smectic mesophases were observed through hot stage polarizing microscopy (POM). The transition curves (Cr-I or Cr-M and Sm-I) behaved in normal manner. Analytical and spectral data support the molecular structures. Average thermal stability for smectic is 77.25°C and smectogenic mesophase ranges from 15°C to 33°C. Liquid crystal properties of the present series are compared with structurally similar homologous series. Thus, the series is smectogenic only with three homologs nonmesogenic.