Phase behaviour and structural properties of two members of biphenylyl benzoate chiral mesogenic series

Abstract

ABSTRACTPhase behaviour and structural properties of two members of biphenylyl benzoate chiral mesogenic series (2F3R and 3F3R) have been investigated. While both the compounds exhibit SmC* phase over a wide temperature range, 2F3R forms orthogonal SmA* from tilted SmC* on heating but 3F3R melts directly to the isotropic phase. The SmA* phase of 2F3R is found to have de vries characteristics with small effective layer contraction. Both the samples on cooling form hexagonal SmF* phase below SmC* phase. On further cooling soft crystal like hexagonal SmJ* phase is formed in 2F3R, undergoing a change in the tilt direction, but in 3F3R, SmG* phase is formed without any change in the tilt direction. A coexistence phase of (SmC*+SmF*) is also observed in a certain temperature range. Slight differences in the dipole moment and molecular conformation of the two molecules give rise to a subtle change in the intermolecular interaction and play an important role in the appearance of different phases in the two compounds. Cell parameters of SmF*, SmG*, SmJ* phases have also been determined. Layer spacings, tilt angles, average intermolecular spacings and correlation lengths have been measured. How some of these properties compare with other members of the series has been discussed.