Soliton excitations in liquid crystal polyacetylene

Abstract

A disubstituted polyacetylene with lyotropic liquid crystallinity showing SmA was synthesized. The number-average-molecular weight of the polymer was 5.2 × 10⁵ g/mol. Vapor phase iodine doping for the disubstituted polyacetylene in the form of liquid crystal order allows the generation of charge carriers. The ESR measurements show the charge carriers exhibit Pauli paramagnetism, indicating that these carriers are polarons. Mott-type variable range hopping (VRH) conduction of the polymer was observed. The combination of SmA molecular architecture and electrical conduction by polyene as a molecular wire in the polyacetylene derivative results in liquid crystal electrical conduction via electro-soliton movement.

Keywords:

• Electro-soliton
• liquid crystal
• Mott-variable range hopping
• Pauli paramagnetism
• polyacetylene

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the OPEN FACILITY, Research Facility Center for Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, for providing the NMR facility and Glass Work Shop of University of Tsukuba.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by Japan Society for Promotion of Science (KAKENHI, No. 17K05985).