ABSTRACT
In this study, novel achiral mesogens containing 4,4’-biphenyl central core connected on both sides through an ester function to 1-(4-(alkyloxy)phenyl)-1 H-[1,2,3]-triazolyl group have been synthesised and characterised. Different mesophases have been identified, with the appearance of both a periodic striped pattern and propeller-patterned droplets close to the transition between the nematic and the smectic-C phases. This periodic texture has been found to be independent of the geometry of the sample cell. These observations suggest a spontaneous symmetry breaking, which can result either from an intrinsic enantioselective self-sorting process with a chirality synchronisation mechanism, or from an extrinsic surface mechanism at the interface between the two phases.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Author contributions
SB and SSB designed and synthesised the compounds, AB performed the molecular simulations, EG and SSB performed the physical characterisations, interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript.
Supplemental data
Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/02678292.2023.2201580.
Correction Statement
This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.