First observation of a smectic A–cholesteric phase transition in a thermotropic liquid crystal consisting of a rigid-rod helical polysilane

Kento Okoshi Corresponding author Graduate School of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0101, Japan; CREST-JST (Japan Science and Technology Corporation), 4-1-8 Hon-cho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan

Anubhav Saxena Graduate School of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0101, Japan; CREST-JST (Japan Science and Technology Corporation), 4-1-8 Hon-cho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan

Masanobu Naito Graduate School of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0101, Japan; CREST-JST (Japan Science and Technology Corporation), 4-1-8 Hon-cho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan

Goro Suzaki Department of Polymer Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan; CREST-JST (Japan Science and Technology Corporation), 4-1-8 Hon-cho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan

Masatoshi Tokita Department of Polymer Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan

Junji Watanabe Department of Polymer Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan; CREST-JST (Japan Science and Technology Corporation), 4-1-8 Hon-cho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan

Michiya Fujiki Graduate School of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0101, Japan; CREST-JST (Japan Science and Technology Corporation), 4-1-8 Hon-cho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan

show all

Abstract

A smectic A–cholesteric phase transition for a rigid-rod helical polymer, poly[n-decyl-(S)-2-methylbutylsilane] (PD2MBS), with a narrow molecular weight distribution, has been observed for the first time. Polarizing optical microscopy showed that the fan-shaped texture of the smectic A phase turned into the characteristic planar texture of the cholesteric phase upon heating. The positive CD band, which corresponds to the reflection band of the cholesteric phase, gradually decreased in intensity within a range 30°C below the transition temperature on cooling, while the peak maximum shifted towards shorter wavelengths. It was concluded that the system has a very wide temperature region over which the cholesteric–smectic A phase transition occurs and in which the cholesteric pitch varies with temperature.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Order Reprints Request Corporate Permissions

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

Request Academic Permissions

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.

First observation of a smectic A–cholesteric phase transition in a thermotropic liquid crystal consisting of a rigid-rod helical polysilane

Information for

Open access

Opportunities

Help and information

First observation of a smectic A–cholesteric phase transition in a thermotropic liquid crystal consisting of a rigid-rod helical polysilane

Abstract

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Academic Permissions

Related research

To cite this article:

Download citation

Information for

Open access

Opportunities

Help and information

Keep up to date

Your download is now in progress and you may close this window

Login or register to access this feature