Issue 17, 2022

Molecular clustering behaviour in the cybotactic nematic phase of a spin-labelled liquid crystal

Abstract

A newly synthesised liquid crystalline nitroxide radical (LC-NR) with a terminal trifluoromethyl group as spin-labelled LC compounds exhibits an anomalous phase transition behaviour. It is likely attributed to non-covalent interactions between the trifluoromethyl groups of the adjacent molecules. X-ray diffractometry of the LC-NR suggests the existence of a cybotactic nematic (Ncyb) phase with a transient and local layer order between the normal nematic (N) and smectic A (SmA) phases. The EPR spectroscopy of the spin-labelled LC implies no discontinuity in magnetic susceptibility around the N-to-Ncyb phase transition. Intermolecular contacts between nitroxide radicals seem to change continuously. These results imply that the interactions between trifluoromethyl groups induce the cybotactic clusters, where molecules move in and out.

Graphical abstract: Molecular clustering behaviour in the cybotactic nematic phase of a spin-labelled liquid crystal

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
15 Febr. 2022
Accepted
24 Marts 2022
First published
11 Apr. 2022

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2022,10, 6621-6627

Author version available

Molecular clustering behaviour in the cybotactic nematic phase of a spin-labelled liquid crystal

Y. Uchida, T. Akita, K. Hanada, D. Kiyohara and N. Nishiyama, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2022, 10, 6621 DOI: 10.1039/D2TC00626J

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