Plasmonic resonance instigated enhanced photoluminescence in quantum dot dispersed nematic liquid crystal

In the present investigation, the optical property of the nematic sample p-methoxybenzylidene p-decylaniline, dispersed with SiO₂ quantum dot (QD), has been reported. Enhanced luminescence has been observed from nematic-QD composites. Surface plasmonic effect along with QD exciton has been highlighted to discuss the observed intensification in photoluminescence. The intensified photoemission from the nematic composites can also be inferred from improved orientational behaviour of the liquid crystal molecules due to dispersion of QDs. Variation in the intensity of photoabsorption can be harnessed for development of luminescent display devices and optical parameter-driven scientific applications.     

The optimal cell gap determination of a liquid crystal wavefront corrector from a single photoelectric measurement

It has been a crucial technique to improve the dynamic response characteristics of a liquid crystal wavefront corrector (LCWFC) with optimal cell gap since the LCWFC needs at least 2π (or π) phase modulation in adaptive optics systems (AOSs). We have given a complete process for obtaining the optimal cell gap accurately from a single photoelectric measurement, which can be conducted with a liquid crystal (LC) cell of any known thickness. This method has been analysed theoretically and confirmed experimentally by using a wedge-shaped cell; the experimental results match very well with the theoretical analysis. The response time of an optimal gap cell can be a novel evaluation method of response performance of LC materials.     

Anomalous behaviour in the SmA*–SmCA* pre‐transitional regime of a chiral swallow‐tailed antiferroelectric liquid crystal

The temperature‐ and electric field‐dependent dielectric relaxation and polarisation of a new chiral swallow tailed antiferroelectric liquid crystal, i.e. 1‐ethylpropyl (S)‐2‐{6‐[4‐(4′‐decyloxyphenyl)benzoyloxy]‐2‐naphthyl}propionate (abbreviated as EP10PBNP), were investigated. The electric field‐induced dielectric loss spectra of EP10PBNP revealed electroclinic and anomalous dielectric behaviour in the chiral smectic A (SmA*)–chiral antiferroelectric smectic C (SmC_A*) pre‐transitional regime. From an analysis of thermal hysteresis of the dielectric constant, electric field‐induced polarisation and dielectric loss spectra, the appearance of a ferrielectric‐like mesophase is observed followed by an unstable SmC_A* phase in the SmA*–SmC_A* pre‐transitional regime.     

Optical studies of dynamic director configurations in ferroelectric liquid crystal devices

An investigation into the transmission spectrum of a ferroelectric liquid crystal device is undertaken. This is done both for an initial static state and during a switching process. Comparisons are made between experimental data and theoretical predictions. The dynamic internal director configurations in the device is shown to be consistent with a simple model during both monopolar and bipolar addressing pulses.     

Copper-containing dendromesogens: the influence of the metal on the mesomorphism

The synthesis and liquid crystalline behaviour of the first and second generations of a dendrimeric structure based on poly(propyleneimine)(DAB-dendr(NH₂)_x) are reported. 4-(4-n-Alkoxybenzoyloxy)salicylaldehydes are used as mesogenic moieties attached at the peripheral amino groups of the dendrimers giving rise to dendromesogens with four and eight mesogenic branches. From these dendromesogens, considered as organic ligands, were prepared six metal-containing dendrimers which incorporate two or four copper atoms in their structures. All the dendrimeric ligands and three of the metal-containing dendrimers exhibit liquid crystalline properties which were studied by optical microscopy, DSC, X-ray diffraction and EPR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of novel fishbone-like liquid crystalline polysilsesquioxanes VI. Fishbone-like,ester-based liquid crystalline polysilsesquioxanes

Two novel kinds of fishbone-like, ester-based, liquid crystalline, random copolysilsesquioxanes, LC₁-CH₃-P and LC₂-CH₃-P, have been synthesized for the first time by stepwise coupling polymerization (SCP) from trichlorosilane monomers (RSiCl₃) containing mesogenic ester groups, using three main steps including preaminolysis, hydrolysis and polycondensation. Two new monomers 4-(11-trichlorosilylundecloyloxy)phenyl 4-methoxybenzoate (M₁) and 4-(3-trichlorosilylpropoxy)phenyl 4-methoxybenzoate (M₂) have been synthesized by hydrosilylation reaction of trichlorosilane and the mesogens 4-n-undecenoyloxyphenyl 4-methoxybenzoate and 4-allyloxyphenyl 4-methoxy-benzoate, respectively, in the presence of dicyclopentadienylplatinum(II) chloride (Cp₂Ptcl₂) catalyst. The structures and mesomorphic properties of LC₁-CH₃-P and LC₂-CH₃-P were investigated by FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ²⁹Si NMR, gel permeation chromatography, polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. It is proposed from the characterization data that these two polymers not only have an ordered ladder-like, double main chain, but also show thermotropic smectic behaviour with high clearing points and wide mesophase ranges (ΔT), which may hold promise for potential applications as highly stable gas chromatographic stationary phases.     

Spontaneous formation of liquid crystalline phases and phase transitions in highly concentrated plasmid DNA

The liquid crystalline (LC) properties of two supercoiled plasmid DNA samples, pBSK (2958 bp) and pGEM (3000 bp), have been studied using polarised light microscopy (PLM), circular dichroism (CD) and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The influence of methods of isolation on plasmid LC behaviour is described, and using PLM we have demonstrated the spontaneous formation of cholesteric fingerprint-like textures. Preliminary studies of LC phase transitions in pGEM show the irreversibility of LC phase formation, as a consequence of changes in the tertiary structure of supercoiled plasmids. Using UV–Vis spectroscopy a hyperchromic effect was observed with increasing temperature. The CD spectra clearly showed structural changes, and probably mismatching of DNA bases, during cooling. Finally, we have observed an irreversible phase transition in plasmid DNA which is very different from that previously reported in linear DNA.     

Study of the electrocaloric effect in ferroelectric liquid crystals

ABSTRACT

Electrocaloric effect (ECE) in two ferroelectric liquid crystalline (FLC) materials has been evaluated by mean of two indirect characterization methods: the photopyroelectric (PPE) technique and the polarization current reversal one. The obtained results show a good correspondence of the adiabatic temperature change associated with the ECE evaluated from both methods. This validates the possibility to use the PPE technique to investigate the ECE in FLCs. This study also demonstrates that FLCs can be used as electrocaloric material. More particularly, it shows that as for their solid homologous, liquid crystals displays more pronounced ECE in the vicinity of a first order transition than that measured near to second-order one.     

X-ray characterisation of local molecular orientation in the electroclinic effect of surface-stabilised SmA liquid crystals

The local molecular orientation in the electroclinic effect of the chiral smectic A phase in a surface-stabilised cell has been determined using a time-resolved synchrotron X-ray microbeam diffraction technique. Space- and time-resolved X-ray wide-angle halo scattering under an electric field reveals the static and dynamic intralayer molecular orientation. The molecular orientation varies spatially in accordance with the stripe texture and is dependent on the applied voltage. It has been found that the deviation of the molecular orientation from the rubbing direction depends strongly on the sample history. The relation between the apparent molecular orientation and the layer structure is discussed.     

Fabrication of ozone gas sensor based on FeOOH/single walled carbon nanotube-modified field effect transistor

A novel ozone (O₃) sensor is fabricated using commercial metal oxide field effect transistor (MOSFET), modified with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). In this study, integrated circuit (IC: BS250) was selected as the selective probe for O₃ detection. For this purpose, a plastic cover on the surface of the drain was drilled to bare the drain surface, followed by its modification with nitrogen and sulfur-functionalized SWCNTs by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The CVD-synthesized SWCNTs were then electrodeposited with FeOOH nanostructures. According to the figures of merit, the fabricated sensor gave a linear output from 20 to 450 parts per billion (ppb). Detection limit was also 4.1?ppb. Relative standard deviation (RSD) for seven replicate analyses was 3.61%. Based on 90% of maximum response (t₉₀), the response time was ～1.5?min. Calibration sensitivity was measured to 1.3?mV/ppb. No interference was observed, when introducing at least 500 folds of interferences of gaseous species such as H₂O, HCl, H₂S, O₂, H₂, CO, CO₂, NO₂, SO₂, Cl₂, C₂H₂, CH₄ and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to 250?ppb of O₃ solution. Reliability of the sensor was also evaluated via determination of O₃ in different air samples.