![Sample our Physical Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110819/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Physical-Sciences.jpg"})
Abstract
The nematic phase occurring in bent-core (or banana-shaped) molecule systems is conducive to the occurrence of biaxial (Nb) phase due to the inherent biaxial molecular shape. The tendency of bent-core molecules to stabilise a layered (smectic) structure poses one of the difficulties in obtaining the thermotropic Nb phase. To investigate the factors favouring the formation of the nematic phase, a number of bent-core nematic liquid crystals derived from 1, 3-phenylene central bent motifs were synthesised. Results of an investigation into the influence of the nature and position of substitutions on the central core and two rigid arms as well as the type of linkage units on the occurrence and stability of the nematic phase reveal important structure–property relationships. Textural and X-ray diffraction measurements have helped us identify molecules with the potential of exhibiting the Nb phase.
Acknowledgements
The work is supported by the US Department of Energy (DOE DE-SC0001412). Use of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) was supported by the Department of Energy, Basic Energy Sciences (BES), Office of Science, under Contract No. W-31-109-Eng-38. The Midwestern Universities Collaborative Access Team's (MUCAT) sector at the APS is supported by the U.S. DOE, BES, Office of Science, through the Ames Laboratory under Contract No. W-7405-Eng-82.
