scholarly journals Synthesis, Self-Assembly and Photoresponsive Behavior of Liquid Crystals Based on Azobenzene

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1560
Author(s):  
Yaming Wu ◽  
Yuhai Liu ◽  
Jianxiang Chen ◽  
Runmiao Yang
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Driving Force ◽  
1H Nmr Spectroscopy ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Cis Isomer

A new amphiphilic surfactant (C4-Azo-C5-HDA) was formed by liquid crystals (LCs) based on azobenzene, whose structures were characterized by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The reversible hydrogelation upon changes in temperature and light exposure was also studied. Under the irradiation of UV light, the trans-isomer of C4-Azo-C5-HDA rapidly photoisomerized to the cis-isomer, resulting in rapid disruption of the gel. The thermotropic liquid crystal behavior of the gelator was investigated via Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Polarizing Optical Microscopy (POM). The biocompatibility experiment of multi-stimulus response of the liquid crystal provides a potential driving force for the development of biomaterials.

scholarly journals Supramolecular self-assembly and physical-gel formation in disc-like liquid crystals: a scalable predictive model for gelation and an application in photovoltaics

RSC Advances ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 6335-6345
Author(s):  
Sehrish Iqbal ◽  
Ammar A. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Predictive Model ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Gel Formation ◽  
Discotic Liquid Crystal ◽  
Physical Gel

The application of triphenylene-based discotic liquid crystal derivatives as physical gelators is investigated.

Synthesis and Mesomorphic Properties of a Series of Cholesteric Liquid Crystals

2010 ◽  
Vol 663-665 ◽  
pp. 759-762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Lan Ma ◽  
Yuan Ming Huang
Keyword(s):  
Phase Transition ◽  
Differential Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Optical Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Polarized Optical Microscopy ◽  
Phase Transition Temperatures ◽  
Second Category ◽  
Mesomorphic Properties

A series of cholesterol liquid crystal compounds was synthesized. Phase-transition temperatures and mesomorphic textures of these synthesized compounds were characterized with differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy, respectively. In these molecules the terminal ester chains CnH2n-1COO-, where n was the number of carbon atoms in the terminal ester chains, were linked to the cholesterol core. All of the synthesized cholesterol compounds exhibited mesophases for the first heating. However, as temperature decreased from their clearing points, their micrographs can also be divided into two categories, the first category exhibits branch-like mesophase textures for n in the range of 1-10 while the second category exhibits branch-like crystal textures for n in the range of 11-18.

Mechanism of Surfactant Removal from Ordered Nanocomposite Silica Thin Films by Deep-UV Light Exposure

2003 ◽  
Vol 788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Dattelbaum ◽  
Meri L. Amweg ◽  
Julia D. Ruiz ◽  
Laurel E. Ecke ◽  
Andrew P. Shreve ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Thin Films ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Complete Removal ◽  
Combined Application ◽  
Silica Thin Films ◽  
Deep Uv ◽  
Surfactant Removal

ABSTRACTIn recent years, methods have been developed for the generation of complex ordered nanocomposite materials through organic templating of inorganic structures. One approach involves preparation of composite materials by an evaporation induced self-assembly process involving organization of organic surfactants and formation of inorganic silica from soluble precursors. Recently, we have shown that deep-UV light (185–254nm) is efficient at removing the surfactant microphase for a routine production of well-ordered mesoporous silica thin films. Here we probe the evolution of surfactant removal from nanocomposite thin film silica mesophases as a function of deep-UV exposure using a combined application of FTIR and single wavelength ellipsometry. Taken together, these data indicate that surfactant removal occurs in a step-wise fashion with the formation of oxidized intermediates prior to complete removal of the surfactant from the thin film.

Orientation, interaction and laser assisted self-assembly of organic single-crystal micro-sheets in a nematic liquid crystal

Soft Matter ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (38) ◽  
pp. 7674-7679 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. V. Rasna ◽  
K. P. Zuhail ◽  
U. V. Ramudu ◽  
R. Chandrasekar ◽  
J. Dontabhaktuni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Single Crystal ◽  
Nematic Liquid Crystal ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Nematic Liquid Crystals ◽  
Directed Assembly ◽  
Orientation Interaction ◽  
Organic Single Crystal

In this paper we report first experimental study on the orientation, interaction and directed-assembly of single crystal micro-sheets in nematic liquid crystals.

Orientation of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals by Self-Assembled Bilayer Molecular Assembly

2001 ◽  
Vol 709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sukhmal C. Jain ◽  
Vivechana Dixit ◽  
Vinod K. Tanwar ◽  
S. M. Shivaprasad
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Uv Spectroscopy ◽  
Large Change ◽  
Molecular Assembly ◽  
Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal ◽  
Assembly Technique

ABSTRACTMolecular films of amino propyl triethoxy silane (APTES) attached with cinnamoyl moieties were deposited on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass and quartz substrates by self-assembly technique. The deposition of the monolayer films resulted in a large change in the wettability of the substrates. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-spectroscopy were used to study the structure and properties of the grown films. The molecular assembly was photodimerized by irradiating it with a linearly polarized UV-light. Thus created polymer-solid interface has been shown to produce good, stable planar orientation of ferroelectric liquid crystal mixtures. The electro-optical and switching properties of the ferroelectric liquid crystal cells have been investigated and found to be quite similar to those prepared in conventional manner.

scholarly journals Adjacent functional group effects on the assembly of columnar liquid crystals

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (7) ◽  
pp. 379-385
Author(s):  
Carson O. Zellman ◽  
Danielle Vu ◽  
Vance E. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
The Self ◽  
Clearing Temperature ◽  
Crystal Phases ◽  
Potential Strategy ◽  
The Impact

Although the impact of individual functional groups on the self-assembly of columnar liquid crystal phases has been widely studied, the effect of varying multiple substituents has received much less attention. Herein, we report a series of dibenzo[a,c]phenazines containing an alcohol or ether adjacent to an electron-withdrawing ester or acid. With one exception, these difunctional mesogens form columnar phases. The phase behavior appeared to be dominated by the electron-withdrawing substituent; transition temperatures were similar to derivatives with these groups in isolation. In most instances, the addition of an electron-donating group ortho to an ester or acid suppressed the melting temperature and elevated the clearing temperature, leading to broader liquid crystal thermal ranges. This effect was more pronounced for derivatives functionalized with longer chain hexyloxy groups. These results suggest a potential strategy for controlling the phase ranges of columnar liquid crystals and achieving room temperature mesophases.

scholarly journals Periodic assembly of nanoparticle arrays in disclinations of cholesteric liquid crystals

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (9) ◽  
pp. 2137-2142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunfeng Li ◽  
Elisabeth Prince ◽  
Sangho Cho ◽  
Alinaghi Salari ◽  
Youssef Mosaddeghian Golestani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Soft Matter ◽  
Cholesteric Liquid Crystal ◽  
Topological Defects ◽  
Spatial Inhomogeneity ◽  
Cholesteric Phase ◽  
Anisotropic Surface ◽  
Linear Defects

An important goal of the modern soft matter science is to discover new self-assembly modalities to precisely control the placement of small particles in space. Spatial inhomogeneity of liquid crystals offers the capability to organize colloids in certain regions such as the cores of the topological defects. Here we report two self-assembly modes of nanoparticles in linear defects-disclinations in a lyotropic colloidal cholesteric liquid crystal: a continuous helicoidal thread and a periodic array of discrete beads. The beads form one-dimensional arrays with a periodicity that matches half a pitch of the cholesteric phase. The periodic assembly is governed by the anisotropic surface tension and elasticity at the interface of beads with the liquid crystal. This mode of self-assembly of nanoparticles in disclinations expands our ability to use topological defects in liquid crystals as templates for the organization of nanocolloids.

scholarly journals Stacks of Azobenzene Stars: Self-Assembly Scenario and Stabilising Forces Quantified in Computer Modelling

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladyslav Savchenko ◽  
Markus Koch ◽  
Aleksander S. Pavlov ◽  
Marina Saphiannikova ◽  
Olga Guskova
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Computer Modelling ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Light Stimulus ◽  
Intermolecular Forces ◽  
Binding Energies ◽  
Simulation Techniques ◽  
Assembly Mechanism

In this paper, the columnar supramolecular aggregates of photosensitive star-shaped azobenzenes with benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide core and azobenzene arms are analysed theoretically applying a combination of computer simulation techniques. Without a light stimulus, the trans-stars build one-dimensional columns of stacked molecules during the first stage of the noncovalent association. These columnar aggregates represent the structural elements of more complex experimentally observed morphologies -- fibers, spheres, gels and others. Upon UV light exposure, the azobenzene arms isomerise from thermodynamically stable planar trans- to a metastable kinked cis-state influencing the aggregate morphology. Here, we determine the most favourable mutual orientations of the \textit{trans}-stars in the stack in terms of (i) the pi-pi distance between the cores lengthwise the aggregate, (ii) the star slipped displacements and (iii) the rotation promoting the helical twist and chirality of the aggregate by calculating the binding energy diagrams using density functional theory. The model predictions are further compared with available experimental data. The intermolecular forces responsible for the stability of the stacks made of trans-azobenzene stars in crystals are quantified using Hirshfeld surface analysis. Finally, to characterize the self-assembly mechanism of such stars in solution, we calculate the hydrogen bond lengths, the normalized dipole moment and the binding energies as the functions of the columnar length using molecular dynamics trajectories, and conclude about the cooperative nature of this process.

Liquid-crystal metasurfaces: Self-assembly for versatile optical functionality

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina V. Kasyanova ◽  
Maxim V. Gorkunov ◽  
Serguei P. Palto
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Fluid Phase ◽  
Photonic Devices ◽  
Light Diffraction ◽  
Applied Potential ◽  
Surface Alignment ◽  
Optical Functions ◽  
External Stimuli

Abstract Liquid crystals subjected to modulated surface alignment assemble into metasurface-type structures capable of various flat-optical functionalities, including light diffraction and focusing, deflection and splitting. Remaining in a fluid phase, they are susceptible to external stimuli, and, in particular, can be efficiently controled by low voltages. We overview the existing approaches to the design and fabrication of liquid-crystal metasurfaces, highlight their realized optical functions and discuss the applied potential in emerging photonic devices.

Liquid Crystal Influenced Self-assembly in Mesogenic Polymer and Liquid Crystal Blends

2004 ◽  
Vol 856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lanfang Li ◽  
Carmen Otilia Catanescu ◽  
Liang-Chy Chien
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystals ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Polymer Network ◽  
Monomer Concentration ◽  
Curing Temperature ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Photo Polymerization ◽  
Anisotropic Elastic ◽  
Polymerization Conditions

ABSTRACTIn this work, we found that by performing photo-polymerization of the mesogenic monomer RM257 in liquid crystals, well organized polymer walls were formed through out the cell by self-assembly of the polymer within the anisotropic host – the liquid crystal. The polymerization conditions, which were parameterized as UV intensity, photo-reactivity (characterized by photo initiator concentration), curing temperature, monomer concentration and mesophase of the liquid crystal host, were systematically varied. Different liquid crystal host also raised some difference in polymer network. We believe this kind of morphology comes from spinodal decomposition and the anisotropic elastic property of the liquid crystal host. It is found that for RM257 and low molecular weight nematic liquid crystals a monomer concentration of 5% is sufficient to use liquid crystal hosts to work as templates for well structured polymer walls.

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