The study of the helical pitch of cholesteric liquid crystals by introducing achiral rod-like molecules

Abstract

To design and synthesize achiral rod-like ester compounds, 4-n-octyloxybiphenyl-4′-octyloxybenzoate. The compound is similar to 4-octyloxyphenyl 4-octyloxybenzoate, which could provide expectantly with effects like chiral materials. n-4′-methoxybenzylidene-n-butylaniline (MBBA) is also an achiral rod-like molecule, which is not chiral in terms of conformation. Two compounds were added to a mixture with several types of cholesteric liquid crystals that are liquid crystals at room temperature, and it was found that the helical pitch of cholesteric crystals that were mixed with 4-n-octyloxybiphenyl-4′-octyloxybenzoate was inclined to become longer. The other compound, MBBA, added in cholesteric liquid crystals made helical pitch shorter. The results are the same as when chiral molecules are added to cholesteric liquid crystals.

Keywords:

• cholesteric liquid crystal
• achiral molecules
• helical pitch