ABSTRACT
A series of symmetrical S-shaped mesogens based on 4,4′-bis-(6-bromohexyloxy)biphenyl as a central unit containing two 2-{6-[4-(4-substitutedphenylazo)phenoxy]hexyloxy}phenol as side-chain groups has been successfully synthesised. The terminal substituent was varied from halogen (X = F, Cl, Br and I) to non-halogen (X = C2H5 and OC2H5). The oligomers with C2H5 and OC2H5 substituents exhibit predominantly the monotropic nematic (N) phase. The OC2H5-containing derivatives possess long-range stability of N phase than its C2H5-containing analogue in which it has small range of N phase stability. As for halogen-containing analogues, oligomer with F exhibits monotropic N phase whilst oligomers with Cl and Br exhibit monotropic N and smectic A (SmA) phases. In addition, homologue with Br shows additional phase which is smectic B (SmB) phase upon further cooling. However, the oligomers in which F, Cl and Br were substituted by I exhibits purely monotropic SmA and SmB phases. X-ray diffraction measurements reveal that the smectic phase is inclined to the monolayer structure.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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Acknowledgements
The main author (G. Y. Yeap) would like to thank Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for partial finance support through RU [Grant Number 811223] and the laboratory facilities. F.Osman also acknowledges the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia (MOHE) for the research assistantship under the MyBrain15 scheme.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.