The liquid crystal blue phase induced by bent-shaped molecules with different terminal chain lengths

Abstract

Several kinds of bent-shaped molecules with different lengths of the terminal chain are doped in chiral nematic liquid crystals (LCs), respectively, to induce the blue phase. The effects of the terminal chain length on the blue phase range are studied. The mechanisms of the phenomena are investigated through molecular dynamics, and the results indicate that molecules with a long terminal chain decrease the interfacial energy between the LCs and defects, whereas they also disturb the alignment of LCs near the interface and make an evident impact on the bent angle of molecules, which is not helpful in forming a stable blue phase. This work provides some useful insights into the molecular design of suitable bent-shaped dopants in order to obtain a wide range of LC blue phases.