Switchable Columnar Phase Formed from Bent-Shaped Molecules with Low Bent-Angle Naphthalene Central Core and Alkylthio Tail

Abstract

Novel low-angle bent molecules with 1,7-naphthalene central core and alkylthio tails form the hexagonal columnar phase as well as the well-known B4 phase. The columnar phase has a large two-dimensional hexagonal lattice of 65–70 Å and exhibits the antiferroelectric switching with the spontaneous polarization along the column axis. The column is considered to be constructed by the cylindrically enclosed layer.

Keywords:

• Banana molecule
• Columnar phase
• Hexagonal lattice
• Layer deformation
• tube-like assembly
• antiferroelectric switching

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Creative Scientific Research and a Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists B(21750138) from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan.