Themed collection Editor’s Choice: Advances and New Avenues in Liquid Crystal Science

30 items
Open Access Perspective

The importance of structure property relationship for the designing of biomaterials using liquid crystal elastomers

In this perspective, we presented our group’s journey to design biomaterials using LCEs and as inks for 3D printing. We addressed properties sought in a scaffold that address cells’ specific needs, and how we used the intrinsic properties of LCEs to influence on cell behavior.

Graphical abstract: The importance of structure property relationship for the designing of biomaterials using liquid crystal elastomers
Open Access Perspective

The significance of nanoparticle shape in chirality transfer to a surrounding nematic liquid crystal reporter medium

This perspective reports on recent progress toward the development of an approach to a priori predict - both chirality “strength” and efficacy of chirality transfer from a chiral nanoshape solute to an achiral nematic environment.

Graphical abstract: The significance of nanoparticle shape in chirality transfer to a surrounding nematic liquid crystal reporter medium
Open Access Review Article

Azobenzene isomerization in condensed matter: lessons for the design of efficient light-responsive soft-matter systems

This work reviews photoswitching of azobenzenes in soft and self-assembled materials, providing an outlook for smart soft matter design.

Graphical abstract: Azobenzene isomerization in condensed matter: lessons for the design of efficient light-responsive soft-matter systems
Open Access Paper

Columnar liquid-crystalline J-aggregates based on N-core-substituted naphthalene diimides

Two approaches have been developed to prepare liquid-crystalline J-aggregates based on naphthalene diimides.

Graphical abstract: Columnar liquid-crystalline J-aggregates based on N-core-substituted naphthalene diimides
Paper

Topological defects stabilized by a soft twist-bend dimer and quantum dots lead to a wide thermal range and ultra-fast electro-optic response in a liquid crystalline amorphous blue phase

Adding an NTB material to BPLC increases the thermal range of BPI. Further doping with QDs leads to the induction of BPIII, with a wide thermal range of 34 °C, spanning ambient and below/above ambient temperatures with enhanced display parameters.

Graphical abstract: Topological defects stabilized by a soft twist-bend dimer and quantum dots lead to a wide thermal range and ultra-fast electro-optic response in a liquid crystalline amorphous blue phase
Paper

Anisotropic sol–gel transition and morphological aspects of a hierarchical network of nematic gel and a superimposed photopolymer

The thermodynamic phase in which photopolymerisation is performed governs the morphological characteristics of a nematogen with hierarchal network feature possessing independent gelator and reactive monomer constituents.

Graphical abstract: Anisotropic sol–gel transition and morphological aspects of a hierarchical network of nematic gel and a superimposed photopolymer
Open Access Paper

Anti-counterfeiting holographic liquid crystal gels with color and pattern control

Optically tunable and switchable reflection grating LC gels can be used in anti-counterfeiting materials for optical security and encryption. Reflection colors and patterns appear by applying an AC field and a DC field controls the holographic color of the samples.

Graphical abstract: Anti-counterfeiting holographic liquid crystal gels with color and pattern control
Open Access Paper

Chiral amplification induced by self-assembly of different aggregation states in liquid crystal block copolymer films with chiral response

The gabs of the J-type stacking helix assembly induced by DiBTA was an order of magnitude larger than that of the H-type column assembly induced by DiBETA.

Graphical abstract: Chiral amplification induced by self-assembly of different aggregation states in liquid crystal block copolymer films with chiral response
Open Access Paper

Light-induced bi-directional switching of thermal conductivity in azobenzene-doped liquid crystal mesophases

UV-Vis light irradiation induces a fast, bidirectional switching of thermal conductivity in doped liquid crystals.

Graphical abstract: Light-induced bi-directional switching of thermal conductivity in azobenzene-doped liquid crystal mesophases
Paper

Functional group polarity-modulated formation of liquid crystals of amphiphilic cyclodextrins

Polyesterified amphiphilic β-cyclodextrin derivatives bearing functionalized tetraethylene glycols showed excellent abilities to self-assemble into stable hexagonal columnar mesophases with 1D ion conducting channels.

Graphical abstract: Functional group polarity-modulated formation of liquid crystals of amphiphilic cyclodextrins
Open Access Paper

First azulene liquid crystal with de Vries behavior and a SmA re-entrant phase

Novel calamitic mesogens with an azulene core show de Vries-like properties and a SmA re-entrance phase.

Graphical abstract: First azulene liquid crystal with de Vries behavior and a SmA re-entrant phase
Open Access Paper

Fabrication of an anodized nanoporous aluminium (AAO/Al) transparent electrode as an ITO alternative for PDLC smart windows

An anodized nanoporous aluminium (AAO/Al) transparent electrode for energy-efficient PDLC smart windows.

Graphical abstract: Fabrication of an anodized nanoporous aluminium (AAO/Al) transparent electrode as an ITO alternative for PDLC smart windows
Paper

Observation of helical self-assembly in cyclic triphosphazene-based columnar liquid crystals bearing chiral mesogenic units

Cyclotriphosphazene-based discotic liquid crystals are reported exhibiting helicoildal columnar arrangement and fluorescence turn-on phenomenon.

Graphical abstract: Observation of helical self-assembly in cyclic triphosphazene-based columnar liquid crystals bearing chiral mesogenic units
Paper

Azobenzene-decorated cellulose nanocrystals as photo-switchable chiral solutes in nematic liquid crystals

Cellulose nanocrystals, surface-decorated with azobenzenes, are introduced as chiral solutes with molecular and morphological chirality and bestowed with the ability to photoswitch the helical pitch of induced chiral nematic liquid crystal phases.

Graphical abstract: Azobenzene-decorated cellulose nanocrystals as photo-switchable chiral solutes in nematic liquid crystals
Open Access Paper

Carrier transport characteristics of glass-forming chiral liquid crystalline dimers based on oligo(phenylenevinylene) units

We synthesized chiral dimeric chiral nematic (N*) liquid crystals bearing tri(p-phenylene vinylene) units and studied the carrier transport characteristics as well as the circularly polarized fluorescence in the N* phase of the liquid crystals.

Graphical abstract: Carrier transport characteristics of glass-forming chiral liquid crystalline dimers based on oligo(phenylenevinylene) units
Open Access Paper

Polymer-grafted ZnO nanorods enhance optical nonlinearity of oligothiophene-doped liquid crystals

The photoinduced molecular reorientation of nonlinear optical materials is a promising approach to cause the nonlinear optical effect used for developing next-generation self-modulating and optical switching devices.

Graphical abstract: Polymer-grafted ZnO nanorods enhance optical nonlinearity of oligothiophene-doped liquid crystals
Paper

Synthesis, self-assembly and optical properties of some rigid π-bridged triphenylene dimers

π-Conjugated liquid-crystalline dimers consisting of two triphenylene mesogens connected through a rigid molecular bridge have been synthesized. Mesophases, gels and optical properties have been investigated as a function of the bridge nature.

Graphical abstract: Synthesis, self-assembly and optical properties of some rigid π-bridged triphenylene dimers
Open Access Paper

Building a DC electric field-driven wheat leaf-like surface pattern with a cholesteric liquid crystal fluoropolymer for directional droplet manipulation

A wheat leaf-like surface pattern emerged above the solid coating of fluorinated cholesteric liquid crystal polymer under actuation of one-side DC electric field, to trigger directional droplet motion for precise and low-energy droplet manipulation.

Graphical abstract: Building a DC electric field-driven wheat leaf-like surface pattern with a cholesteric liquid crystal fluoropolymer for directional droplet manipulation
Paper

Luminescent assemblies of pyrene-containing bent-core mesogens: liquid crystals, π-gels and nanotubes

Bent-core and pyrene building blocks are revealed as a synergistic and versatile ‘tandem’ for the chemistry of luminescent supramolecular materials, guiding towards highly emissive liquid crystals, organogels and nanotubular systems, just by using the same molecule.

Graphical abstract: Luminescent assemblies of pyrene-containing bent-core mesogens: liquid crystals, π-gels and nanotubes
Paper

Triphenylene-ethylammonium tetrachlorometallate salts: multicolumnar mesophases, thermochromism and Langmuir films

This study reports mesomorphic triphenylene-ethylammonium salts containing [MCl4]2− (M = Cu, Ni, Co, Mn) as counterion. The [NiCl4]2− group leads to combine mesomorphism, paramagnetism and thermochromism in the system.

Graphical abstract: Triphenylene-ethylammonium tetrachlorometallate salts: multicolumnar mesophases, thermochromism and Langmuir films
Paper

Paramagnetic supramolecular mesogens: A new paradigm in self-assembled magnetic materials

Sterically crowded, shape-persistent star mesogens with three oligophenylenevinylene arms provide free space in which Blatter radical guests are incorporated by covalent bonds (esters) or supramolecular interactions (hydrogen bonds).

Graphical abstract: Paramagnetic supramolecular mesogens: A new paradigm in self-assembled magnetic materials
Paper

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

A newly synthesised liquid crystalline nitroxide radical with a terminal trifluoromethyl group exhibits a cybotactic nematic phase. EPR spectroscopy of the spin-labelled LC implies that molecules move into and out of the cybotactic clusters.

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

Engineering mesophase stability and structure via incorporation of cyclic terminal groups

The installation of an aliphatic ring at the end of the alkyl chain for a family of 4-alkoxy-4′-cyanobiphenyl liquid crystals is shown to enhance clearing points and promotes the formation of smectic phases, relative to the linear parent materials.

Graphical abstract: Engineering mesophase stability and structure via incorporation of cyclic terminal groups
Open Access Paper

Fluorinated triphenylenes and a path to short tailed discotic liquid crystals: synthesis, structure and transport properties

We present a versatile synthesis method capable of creating triphenylene discotic liquids with enhanced control of the number and type of tails. The compounds obtained from this method include a discotic liquid crystal with unusually short methoxy tails.

Graphical abstract: Fluorinated triphenylenes and a path to short tailed discotic liquid crystals: synthesis, structure and transport properties
Open Access Paper

An unusual self-assembling columnar mesogen prepared by tethering a planar naphthalenediimide acceptor to bent phenothiazine donors

Tethering of two shape mismatched donors and acceptor leads to an unusual mesogen design.

Graphical abstract: An unusual self-assembling columnar mesogen prepared by tethering a planar naphthalenediimide acceptor to bent phenothiazine donors
Open Access Paper

Electrically driven formation and dynamics of swallow-tail solitons in smectic A liquid crystals

Multi-dimensional particle-like solitons are formed in a smectic A liquid crystal driven by electric fields. The solitons are localized deformations of smectic layers and travel perpendicular to the smectic layers with a constant speed.

Graphical abstract: Electrically driven formation and dynamics of swallow-tail solitons in smectic A liquid crystals
Paper

Extraordinary magnetic field effects on the LC phases of homochiral and racemic 4-cyanoresorcinol-based diamagnetic bent-core mesogens

A huge effect of a magnetic field on the layer spacing of smectic and polar smectic liquid crystalline phases of a diamagnetic bent-core mesogen is reported, which is opposite for the uniformly chiral compound and its racemic mixture.

Graphical abstract: Extraordinary magnetic field effects on the LC phases of homochiral and racemic 4-cyanoresorcinol-based diamagnetic bent-core mesogens
Open Access Paper

Distinct twist-bend nematic phase behaviors associated with the ester-linkage direction of thioether-linked liquid crystal dimers

Two homologous series of thioether-linked liquid crystal dimers with oppositely directed esters, viz. CBCOOnSCB and CBOCOnSCB, exhibit largely different helical pitches in the NTB phase, which are ascribed to their molecular bend or biaxiality.

Graphical abstract: Distinct twist-bend nematic phase behaviors associated with the ester-linkage direction of thioether-linked liquid crystal dimers
Open Access Paper

Study of ferro- and anti-ferroelectric polar order in mesophases exhibited by bent-core mesogens

Ferroelectric nature in the NCybC phase and anti-ferroelectric nature in the SmC(I) and SmC(II) phases.

Graphical abstract: Study of ferro- and anti-ferroelectric polar order in mesophases exhibited by bent-core mesogens
Open Access Paper

Supramolecular liquid crystals exhibiting a chiral twist-bend nematic phase

The characterisation of a selection of novel, chiral supramolecular liquid crystals formed by hydrogen-bonding is reported; these are the first examples of the chiral twist-bend nematic phase (N*TB) induced by H-bonding through molecular recognition.

Graphical abstract: Supramolecular liquid crystals exhibiting a chiral twist-bend nematic phase
30 items

About this collection

Liquid crystals have a history of approximately 135 years, starting with their discovery by Austrian botanist, Friedrich Reinitzer. This special state of matter, with a blend of order and mobility, possess a unique ability to respond to various external stimuli, and has caught the curiosity of researchers worldwide. Notably, this area of study has remained popular since its inception, both from an academic and application point of view.
This collection, selected by Associate Editor Professor A. S. Achalkumar, presents the progress in several upcoming areas where liquid crystals play a pivotal role to make a major difference - promising a bright future as they have done since the discovery of twisted nematic liquid crystal display in the 1970s. The collection features articles published in Journal of Materials Chemistry C and Materials Advances

Spotlight

Advertisements