Filled smectic A phases in binary liquid-crystalline systems of terminal-nonpolar compounds

We present five phase diagrams of binary systems in which one component is a bi-swallow tailed compound and the second component is a compound with pronounced nematogenic properties. The common feature of these binary systems is the induction of smectic A phases which have been investigated using X-ray. The smectic A induction seems largely to be the result of specific steric interactions between the components.     

X-ray studies of liquid-crystalline phases of polycatenar substances Evidence for a rectangular columnar structure

The liquid-crystalline phases of two series of bi-swallow tailed compounds have been investigated using textural observations and X-ray studies. Besides nematic and smectic phases a new phase type has been observed. This is characterized by a rectangular columnar structure.     

Kojic acid—a new fragment for the preparation of bent-core mesogens

Kojic acid was used to synthesize bent-core mesogens. Antiferroelectric polar smectic mesophases, an oblique and a rectangular columnar mesophase were found. The mesophases were characterized by X-ray scattering, electro-optical measurements, polarizing microscopy and DSC. On the base of these measurements, models of the mesophases are proposed.     

X-ray investigation of combined main-chain/side-chain liquid-crystalline polymers

Structural investigations on six combined liquid-crystalline polymers using the X-ray technique are described. The measurements have allowed a characterization of the liquid-crystalline phases and have led to our first ideas about the phase structures. All mesogenic groups are arranged parallel to each other, the shortest segment in the main-chain or in the side-chain determines the smectic layer spacing. A modified designation for liquid-crystalline phases of high polymers is proposed.     

Physical concepts and technological aspects of electrically conducting polymers

A review is given on the present physical concepts of understanding electrically conducting polymers. Experimental data on the electrical conductivity as a function of doping level, conjugation length, and temperature are presented and discussed in the framework of a modified model of variable range hopping. Experiments of the transient photoconductivity in the picosecond regime give information on local transport properties and on the anisotropy of motion parallel and perpendicular to the polymer chains.     

Structural and conformational investigations in SmA and different SmC phases of new hockey stick-shaped compounds

New meta -substituted homologous three-ring mesogens, the 4-(3- n -decyloxyphenyliminomethyl) phenyl 4- n -alkyloxybenzoates, have been synthesized, which are non-linear due only to the attachment of one of the alkyloxy groups in a meta -position. The mesophases were studied by optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electro-optical and dielectric measurements. Unusual phase behaviour was observed on varying the length of the terminal chain. The most interesting finding is the occurrence of two polymorphic tilted smectic phases designated as SmC 1 and SmC 2 . The existence of these phases was revealed by calorimetric studies and also from the pronounced difference in optical textures. It was shown from NMR measurements that the molecular orientation changes from a synclinic to an anticlinic arrangement in the SmC 1 to SmC 2 phase transition. It has also been shown, using NMR, that the SmC 1 →SmC 2 phase transition in these compounds is accompanied by a conformational change in the molecular fragment containing the aromatic ring with the meta -substituted terminal alkyloxy chain. This conformational change is linked to a change in the shape of the molecules and leads to a different packing of the molecules within the layers of the SmC 2 phase. From dielectric measurements an increase by a factor of two was detected in the molecular mobility at the transition into the low temperature SmC 2 phase. This finding supports a change in the packing as result of conformational changes.     

Unusual mesomorphic behaviour of new bent-core mesogens derived from 4-cyanoresorcinol

New five-ring bent-core mesogens derived from 4-cyanoresorcinol as the central core have been synthesized. The mesophases were assigned by polarizing microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electro-optical measurements. It was found that the mesophase behaviour clearly depends on the direction of the carboxyl linking groups between the aromatic rings. If the outer and inner ester linking groups of a wing are in the same direction then nematic phases and, for long chain members, SmC and SmCP_A phases are observed. If the outer and inner linking groups are in opposing directions a dimorphism, SmA-SmAP_A, is observed and the clearing temperatures are increased by about 55 K. It is remarkable that in the SmCP_A phases of the first series, polar switching preferably takes place through a collective rotation of the molecules around their long axes which is accompanied by the inversion of the chirality of the smectic layers.     

Heterotrimeric liquid crystalline thiadiazole derivatives

Various trimeric co-oligomers combining 2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole mesogenic moieties with a biphenyl mesogenic moiety were synthesized and their mesomorphic behaviour investigated by polarizing microscopy, calorimetry and X-ray scattering. Such co-oligomeric structures provide an opportunity to combine different mesogenic units. Thus readily accessible homochiral biphenyl mesogenic units were connected with thiadiazole mesogenic units leading to an oligomeric liquid crystal material with ferroelectric properties.