Properties Of Liquid Crystals Research Articles

Multicomponent structural color membrane based on soft lithography array for high-sensitive Raman detection

Inspired by ordered photonic crystals and structural color materials in nature, we successfully prepared hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) photonic films with ordered surface arrays by double-imprint soft lithography. Then we introduced another important material of the cellulose family, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), which has liquid crystal nature and birefringent properties of the particles, into the system to realize the single-point shrinkage of the film array and the control of structural color. Through multi-component doping and concentration control, we further optimized the multi-scale structure of the materials, and obtained HPC/CNCs composite photonic films with excellent properties in color, stability and flexibility, whose elastic modulus and tensile properties are significantly higher than those of single-component. Further loading of SiO2@PDA enhances the color saturation and realizes the in-situ reduction of metal ions on the film surface. This plasma film can track a variety of substances with high sensitivity and long-term stability, showing potential application prospects in the field of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), which provides a potential possibility for chiral structures to be used in the field of biosensor detection and circularly polarized luminescence.

The effect of surfaces on the structural properties of liquid crystals

The effect of the surface microrelief on the structural properties of both the nematic and smectic A (SmA) phases, and the effect of the emerging smectic structure induced by the surface at temperatures close to the second-order nematic-SmA (NA) phase transition temperature TNA, on the Freedericksz threshold voltage for homogeneously aligned polar liquid crystals, is theoretically analyzed.It is shown that the orientation distortion of the director field caused by the wave-like microrelief on solid surfaces exponentially decays in the bulk of both phases. Since in the case of the SmA phase, the characteristic depth of deformation is comparable to the length of the molecule, then when the period of undulating relief passes several micrometers, the depth of penetration of the deformation is several tens of micrometers. This is two orders of magnitude greater than the penetration length of the distortion in the case of the nematic phase.The effect of the surface-induced SmA phase on the threshold voltage, for homogeneously aligned of polar liquid crystals is discussed from the energy point of view. It is shown that the Freedericksz critical voltage, for 4-n-octyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl, in a very thin cell near the second-order nematic-SmA (NA) phase transition temperature, exhibits an anomalous increase with decreasing of temperature T towards TNA.

Liquid crystal biosensor based on AuNPs signal amplification for detection of human chorionic gonadotropin

The detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) allows for the determination of pregnancy and is thus crucial during early pregnancy testing. This study introduces a novel liquid crystal (LC) biosensor that employs Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) for signal amplification, thus enabling the detection of the HCG antigen in a micro, efficient, and cost-effective manner. The sensor design capitalizes on the unique properties of LC to facilitate the detection of HCG. In this research, the surface of the base substrate was first modified with material from DMOAP and APTES, and EDC/sulfo-NHS was used to couple AuNPs and β-hCG to form an AuNP-β-hCG conjugate that improves the coupling rate. The carboxyl group of the antibody was reacted with the aldehyde group of glutaraldehyde, which helps to fix the β-hCG antibody to the surface of the substrate. The HCG sample is immobilized on the surface of the substrate via antigen-antibody immunobinding. As signal amplifiers, the AuNPs can have a significant effect on the topology of the interface and the vertical order of the LC molecules, thus reducing the limit of detection. Finally, the limit of detection was calculated using the SPSS system, and the relationship between grey values and concentrations was also obtained. The detection limit for HCG can be as low as 1.916 × 10−3 mIU·mL−1 under ideal conditions. Compared to other detection methods for HCG, this structure provides a detection pathway with excellent sensitivity, low detection limits, and better specificity, thus offering a new idea for HCG or any other target requiring trace detection.

Electronic, optical and spectroscopic properties of N-dialkyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (CNMIM.PF6) ionic liquid crystal molecules investigated by computational methods.

In this present work, we calculate the electronic, spectroscopic and nonlinear optical properties (NLO) of N-dialkyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (CNMIM.PF6, where N = 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20) ionic liquid crystal molecules under the effect of alkyl chain length variation in cation moiety [CNMIM]+ with fixed anion [PF6]-. CONTEXT: The majority of research on ionic liquid crystal to date has been focused on experiments, while theoretical studies on the optical properties of ionic liquid crystal have been extremely rare. Nonlinear phenomena in optical devices have attracted many researchers. Therefore, results of NLO properties may favor facile synthesis and fabrication of novel-type of materials as well as optoelectronic devices. Spectroscopic studies elucidate further insight into ionic liquid crystal behavior. The results demonstrate that variations in alkyl chain length have an impact on the conformers' electrical, spectroscopic, and NLO properties as well as their stability. The stability of ionic liquid crystal molecules increases with increasein the alkyl chain length and the energy band gap range is 6.64-6.29 eV. Understanding ionic liquid crystal's physical behavior requires an understanding of their dipole moments and NLO features, which are covered in this article. The results of NLO characteristics for all ionic liquid crystal molecules show that their first-order hyperpolarizabilities are higher than the reference molecule (urea). METHODS: The electronic (molecular energy band gap, electrostatic potential map, as well as HOMO-LUMO orbitals) and spectroscopic (IR-RAMAN, UV) properties were evaluated with the help of theoretical model at B3LYP/6-31G(d) while the NLO study has been performed using B3LYP and M06-2X with different basis sets 6-31G(d) and 6-311++G(d,p), as implemented in Gaussian09 software.

Propagation and attenuation of elastic waves in nematic elastomer hollow cylinders

As an intelligent soft material, nematic elastomers (NEs) possess both rubber elasticity and the unique properties of liquid crystals. Such combination gives NEs unusual mechanical response. In this paper, guided waves in nematic elastomer hollow cylinders are investigated. Based on the viscoelasticity theory, the wave governing equations are derived and solved by the Legendre polynomial series approach (LPSA). This approach can directly obtain eigenvalues/eigenvectors characterizing wave propagation and attenuation or field profiles. The effects of circumferential order and radius-thickness ratio on dispersion and attenuation curves are discussed. Besides, dispersion and attenuation curves with different initial director orientations are presented. It is found that the existence of the director results in mode conversions between adjacent flexural longitudinal modes and flexural torsional modes. The results provide important guidance for dynamic design and device analysis of cylinder-shaped nematic elastomer devices.

Synthesis, mesomorphic and fluorescent properties of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles/thiadiazoles with a terminal 3-fluoro-4-cyanophenyl group

A series of new liquid crystalline 1,3,4-oxa/thiadiazoles with a terminal 3-fluoro-4-cyanophenyloxy group were synthesized, and their structures were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The liquid crystal properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM). All of the 1,3,4-oxadizoles exhibited only Nematic mesophase, while the 1,3,4-thiadiazole analogues displayed Smectic A (SmA) and Smectic C (SmC) over a wide temperature range. The fluorescent properties were investigated using ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer (UV–Vis) and fluorescence spectrometer. The solutions of all final compounds in CH2Cl2 individually displayed one absorption band with λabs-max values at 319–340 nm, and exhibited an intense emission with λem-max values at 432–448 nm, and the photoluminescence quantum yields reached 0.52–0.66. The effects of the heterocyclic structural units, the terminal alkoxy chain length and the lateral fluorine atom on liquid crystalline and fluorescent properties were comparatively discussed.

Design of chemically recyclable nanocellulose chiral liquid crystal photonic elastomer vitrimer and its mechanosensitive colour-changing materials

The development of nanocellulose (CNCs) chiral liquid crystal photonic elastomeric vitrimer materials is promising for achieving needed reduction in carbon emissions (elastomer material recycling) and developing novel photonic functional materials. The primary questions discussed are about what is the basic principle of chiral liquid crystal and photonic property of CNCs, how to design vitrimer elastomer materials, and what is the general approach to designing CNC chiral liquid crystal photonic elastomer vitrimer and mechanosensitive colour-changing materials.

Spectroscopy, electrochemistry and liquid crystal properties of monosubstituted ferrocene based azobenzene derivatives with 1,2,3-triazole heterocycle

Monosubstituted ferrocene based azobenzene liquid crystals were synthesized, in which ferrocene was flexibly attached to the mesomorphic core by click reaction. The counterpart compounds without ferrocene unit were also prepared. Two series of compounds displayed liquid crystal behaviours during heating and cooling, and had wide mesophase range. In the process of cooling, the compounds underwent a transformation from nematic phase to smectic C phase. When ferrocene was introduced into the molecule, the melting point of most compounds decreased by 30–40 °C, and the mesophase range was still as wide as 71–97 °C. These compounds emitted fluorescence at 400–550 nm and had strong absorption near 280 nm and 350 nm. Under the irradiation of 365 nm ultraviolet light, these compounds transformed rapidly from E to Z isomers, while the reverse reaction occurred slowly in the dark, especially the molecules containing ferrocene. Cyclic voltammetry studies showed that ferrocene based azobenzene derivatives exhibited one electron transfer processes with low formal redox potentials, indicating that these compounds are easily oxidized.

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of swallow-tailed liquid crystal monomers and polymers

In this article, we designed and synthesized two novel swallow-tailed liquid crystal monomers (M1 and M2) with different chain lengths and rigidities centered on 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid and two series of side-chain liquid crystals polymers PN1 and PN2. All liquid crystal monomers and polymers were conformed to the molecular designs by FT-IR and NMR. The liquid crystal properties were tested by DSC and POM, and the results showed that M1 and M2 were thermotropic enantiotropic nematic liquid crystals and the side-chain liquid crystal polymers PN1 and PN2 series were typical amorphous liquid crystal polymers. With the increase of monomer content, the glass transition temperatures and clearing points of PN1 and PN2 series enhanced. With the increase of the number of mesogens in the liquid crystal monomer, the rigidity was enhanced, and the liquid crystal performance of the polymer was better.

A Review on Physical, Chemical and Optical Properties of Liquid Crystal

The foundation of the upcoming generation of cutting-edge gadgets and digitally augmented technologies is expected to be smart soft materials. Because of their responsiveness and adaptability, liquid crystals (LCs) are promising smart soft materials. In the 20th century, LCs were crucial to changing the information display sector. However, several beyond-display uses for LCs have been proven at the turn of the twentieth century, neatly using their controlled stimuli-responsive and adaptable properties. New LC materials have been developed and engineered for such applications. The review comes close with a summary and viewpoints on the potential and problems facing LCs as smart soft materials. This review is expected to inspire a wide range of concepts for the application of nature's delicate phase of matter in the generation and beyond of smart and augmented devices.

Effect of shape of ZnO nanoparticle on electro-optic and dielectric properties of nematic liquid crystal

Properties of liquid crystal incorporated with various shapes of a nanomaterial are expected to show multifaceted behaviour as properties of nanomaterial are extremely dependent on its size and shape. In view of this, we have investigated the effect of shape of ZnO nanoparticle on electro-optic and dielectric properties of nematic liquid crystal (NLC), PCH5. Nanocomposites of 0.01 wt% ZnO nano- sphere, rods, and wires in NLC are prepared. The addition of ZnO nanoparticles to NLC leads to increase in the order parameter and reduction in threshold voltage, response time as well as ionic conductivity as compared to the pure NLC host. Dielectric permittivity measurements indicate nanoparticle induces short range order in isotropic phase. Dielectric measurements also show increase in order parameter in nanocomposites with 1D nanoparticles whereas negligible change is observed in nanocomposites with spherical nanoparticles in NLC in deep nematic range. The ATR-FTIR measurements support the enhancement in parallel correlation of dipole moments in ZnO nanocomposites as compared to pure NLC.

Interplay of reorientational and thermal solitons: unveiling the dynamic coexistence and enhanced nonlinear response in nematic liquid crystals

Spatial solitons in nematic liquid crystals (NLC) are optical beams that maintain their transverse profile due to the self-focusing effect of light. The mechanism leading to the formation of solitons can be either light-induced reorientation of the elongated molecules or thermal changes in the refractive index induced by a light beam. The specific optical properties of nematic liquid crystals cause the reorientational and thermal solitons to coexist in NLC, and their mutual competition can lead to a reduction or enhancement of the overall nonlinear response of the NLC. The study of the interplay between reorientational and thermal solitons allows a better understanding of the conditions under which the solitons can coexist, compete, or enhance each other. Here, we show that the simultaneous existence of both soliton types can lead to a more robust and versatile nonlinear response and can be used in competitive and synergistic configurations by carefully controlling the temperature, intensity, and polarization of the propagating light. As a result of our experimental findings, it may be possible to shape the nature of the interplay between reorientational and thermal solitons and better understand the behavior of reorientational solitons under varying thermal conditions. Furthermore, understanding this mutual interplay may provide insights into the potential of advanced NLC-based photonic devices that exploit the joint effect of reorientational and thermal nonlinearities.

Programmable Complex Shape Changing of Polysiloxane Main-Chain Liquid Crystalline Elastomers.

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are shape-morphing materials whose large and reversible shape transformations are caused by the coupling between the mobile anisotropic properties of liquid crystal (LC) units and the rubber elastic of polymer networks. Their shape-changing behaviors under certain stimuli are largely directed by the LC orientation; therefore, various strategies have been developed to spatially modulate the LC alignments. However, most of these methods are limited as they require complex fabrication technologies or have intrinsic limitations in applicability. To address this issue, programmable complex shape changes in some LCE types, such as polysiloxane side-chain LCEs, thiol-acrylate main-chain LCEs, etc., were achieved by using a mechanical alignment programming process coupled with two-step crosslinking. Here, we report a polysiloxane main-chain LCE with programmable 2- and 3D shape-changing abilities that were created by mechanically programming the polydomain LCE with two crosslinking steps. The resulting LCEs exhibited a reversible thermal-induced shape transformation between the initial and programmed shapes due to the two-way memory between the first and second network structures. Our findings expand on the applications of LCE materials in actuators, soft robotics, and smart structures where arbitrary and easily programmed shape morphing is needed.

Metallomesogens as potential materials for improvement of electro-optical properties of commercial liquid crystals

We present a new approach to utilize the eutectic metallomesogen (MOM) mixtures to improve the electro-optical properties of commercial nematic liquid crystal (NLC) materials. Accordingly, we studied the phase diagrams of rod-like MOM models structures, including alkyl/alkoxy-azobenzene with Pd complex and salicylal-diaminates with Cu, Ni and Pd complexes. These phase diagrams we utilized the eutectic MOM mixtures and mixed them with few commercial NLC hosts. The results showed a complete mesogenic miscibility and wide mesogenic range. Although the studied MOM model materials are not the optimum structures and we did not study the electro-optical properties of MOM-NLC mixtures, the present results indicate the potential application of MOMs to improve the performance of commercial NLC, which require further future studies.

Cellulose-Based Stimuli-Responsive Anisotropic Hydrogel for Sensor Applications

Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is a hydroxypropylated derivative of cellulose with a lyotropic liquid crystal (LC) property and thermochromism. We introduced HPC into poly 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (PAMPS), forming an anisotropic hydrogel by mechanical shearing. The polymerized long-range ordered HPC/PAMPS hydrogel shows a uniform interference color between crossed polarizers, which could be applied as a multifunctional sensor responding to temperature, pressure, and tensile force. In particular, the oriented HPC/PAMPS hydrogel, as a temperature sensor, can respond to a wide temperature range, and the vivid interference color change has little transmittance loss due to the confinement of a hydrogel network. This work may broaden the application areas of the anisotropic hydrogel and present inspirations into the multi-functional cellulose-based hydrogel sensors.

Determination of dielectric properties of 5CB nematic liquid crystal doped with new chiral calamitic compounds

Determination of dielectric properties of 5CB nematic liquid crystal doped with new chiral calamitic compounds

Enhanced electro-optical properties of nematic liquid crystal doped with Nitrogen doped graphene quantum dots

The first step of this study was to prepare mixtures that contained different concentrations of N doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) into nematic liquid crystals (NLCs). Then, through the Z-scan technology, the optical measurements in the nonlinear regime were conducted with a continuous wave (CW) at 632 nm wavelength and a low power laser beam. The nonlinear absorption (NLA) coefficient, nonlinear refractive (NLR) index, and third-order nonlinear susceptibility of NLCs doped with different concentrations of the NGQDs at distinctive laser powers and diverse applied voltages of external electric field was experimentally measured. The Z-scan results demonstrate that prepared cells have two photon absorption (2PA) and self-focusing effects. As the result, the concentration of the NGQDs in E7 and power of laser were optimum at 1% wt. and 11 mW, respectively. The effect of a DC electric field on optical nonlinearity was also investigated in the mixtures of NLCs and NGQDs at the concentration of 1% wt. Based on these findings, this sample can be used in both nonlinear optics and ultrafast broadband photonics.

Micro-scale viscosity measurements of different thermotropic and lyotropic classes of liquid crystals by using ferrofluid inclusions

Dispersing micro- and nanoparticles in liquid crystals (LCs) is utilised to tune liquid crystal properties, to add functionality or to exploit the self-organization of the liquid crystals to transfer order onto dispersed particles. Dispersing ferrofluid droplets in LCs produces a system similar to LC-microparticle dispersions, because the ferrofluid droplets behave in first approximation as non-compressible, only slightly deformable particles. Such a LC-ferrofluid system adds a magnetic functionality, which can be exploited to measure the viscosity and its anisotropy on a microscopic scale when moving the ferrofluid inclusions through various liquid crystals of the thermotropic, lyotropic or colloidal kind. Effective viscosities can be determined as a function of changing environment, such as temperature or concentration, and for variation of other factors such as the pitch of chiral phases for instance. The viscosities are calculated using Stokes’ Law together with the introduction of a boundary layer at the liquid crystal – ferrofluid interface. We present results for a variety of different liquid crystalline systems; thermotropic nematics, chiral nematics, smectics, lyotropic phases and chromonic systems, as well as colloidal LCs such as cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and graphene oxide (GO) varying the viscosity over more than three orders of magnitude. The results are discussed in terms of the structures of respective phases.

The influence of gold nanoparticles on electro-optical properties of nematic liquid crystal

The influence of gold nanoparticles on electro-optical properties of nematic liquid crystal

Role of Hydroxy Group in the Electro-Optical Properties of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystals

In this work, hydroxylated compounds are applied to prepare polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films and the role of the hydroxy group is studied in detail by comparing the effects of the hydroxylated acrylate monomer, the hydroxylated mesogenic component and their corresponding non-hydroxylated components. It is revealed that the hydroxylated acrylate monomer plays a more important role in modifying the morphology of the polymer matrix and thereby the electro-optical performance of the PDLC films. Parameters of the polymer matrix, such as size and density of voids, can be affected by various components, but only the hydroxylated acrylate monomer can alter its type from the typical Swiss-cheese type to the polymer-microsphere type. Essentially, the hydroxylated mesogenic component takes effect through changing the ratio of the liquid crystal phase, while the hydroxylated acrylate monomer can participate in the polymerization and impact the development of the polymer matrix. It is anticipated that this research can help in understanding the role of the hydroxy group in PDLC films.