Systematic Study of Absorption Spectra of Donor–Acceptor Azobenzene Mesogenic Structures

Abstract

The study reported herein is focused on measuring, as well as on modeling numerically, the positions and intensities of the absorption bands in the electronic spectrum of benzene ring-based mono-azo dyes, while preserving their potential mesogenic ability. Both non-polar structures, as well as highly polar push-pull structures, of azo dye molecules were designed and studied.

Keywords:

• azobenzene
• liquid crystals
• molecular design
• UV-VIS spectrum

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the contract W911QY-07-C-0032. The authors gratefully acknowledge the DoD high performance computer ASC/MSRC resources to accomplish this work.

Notes

*{ } – Phase transition is monotropic.

Note: Predicted oscillator strengths for a transition are provided in parenthesis following the transition wavelength.