Induction of ‘banana phases’ in binary systems composed of bent-core and calamitic mesogen

Abstract

The isobaric phase diagrams of five binary systems are presented in which one mixing component is an achiral bent-core mesogen and the second one is a calamitic mesogen forming a nematic or SmA phase. The mesophases have been characterized by their optical textures, by X-ray investigations and by electro-optical measurements. One or more additional ‘banana mesophases’ are induced in the mixed phase region of four binary systems. These mesophases show interesting structural features which are caused by the admixed calamitic molecules. In one of the systems there was no mesophase induced for steric reasons but a transition could be detected between the polar SmCP_A and the SmA phase in a limited concentration range.