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Abstract
Achiral Bent Core Mesogens (BCMs) are an exciting class of potentially useful material that catch special attention in the last decade. The newly synthetic compound 5-hexadecyloxy-2-[(E)-({4-[5-(4-octyloxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl] phenyl}imino)methyl]phenol, named as ABC, is a Schiff base derivative. Having both flexible hydrophobic and rigid hydrophilic part it shows a surface-active liquid crystalline property. This study is based on the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) thin film fabricated with this molecule. The spectral study, showing intense bathochromic shift of characteristic peaks, reveals that the J-aggregation of molecules in the film in comparison to its solution. Atomic force microscopic (AFM) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images reveal the occurrence of unique unsymmetrical nano-size cluster formation in pure ABC thin film as well as mixed thin film with Behenic acid (BA) as supporting matrix.
Graphical Abstract
The Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) thin film fabricated only with puckered BCM could not show perfect LB isotherm for thin film deposition. The investigation of film shows the compact unidirectional orientation of asymmetric nano-clusters formed by the liquid crystals (AFM Image on the right side). Clusters are also stacked one beside the other following J-aggregation. Simple amphiphile BA mixed with the BCM makes perfect thin film. The BCMs again form similar clusters (AFM image on the left side). The molecules are combined in a cluster following J-aggregation. All the clusters are also aggregated unidirectionally with a tilt orientation. This is a perfect example of J-aggregated stacking of clusters.
Correction Statement
This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.