Ionic Discotic Liquid Crystals

Abstract

AbstractIonic discotic liquid crystals are salts of discotic liquid crystals that may display lyotropic and thermotropic mesomorphism. Columnar structures of π‐π stacking ionic discotic liquid crystals function not only as anisotropic organic semiconductors, similar to their neutral analogues, but they may also efficiently conduct ions. This combination of electronic and ionic conduction is only one of several unique properties that these materials may display, but their systematic investigation has been limited because of their often complex synthesis, purification, and characterization. However, a comprehensive account of existing reports on ionic discotic liquid crystals is not straightforward, despite their relatively small number, because publications are scattered across different areas of research, such as liquid crystals, ionic liquids, and ionic self‐assembly. This review intends to provide a concise but comprehensive overview of the published work on ionic discotic liquid crystals and related compounds and is expected to stimulate further exploration. Highlighted in this review is the mesomorphism of ionic discotic liquid crystals and its dependence on structural changes, which is also the focus of most reported studies. Particular attention was given to the dependence of mesomorphism on the location and types of the charged groups as these are parameters unique to these compounds. Also described are electronic, optical, and other properties of these materials if reported.