Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of rigid-core ionic liquid crystals

Contains fulltext : 36532.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)Ionic liquid crystals combine the unique solvent properties of ionic liquids with self-organization found for liquid crystals. We report a detailed analysis of the structure-property relationship of a series of new imidazolium-based liquid crystals with an extended aromatic core. Investigated parameters include length and nature of the tails, the length of the rigid core, the lateral substitution pattern, and the nature of the counterion. Depending on the molecular structure, two mesophases were observed: a bilayered SmA(2) phase and the more common monolayered SmA phase, both strongly interdigitated. Most materials show mesophases stable to high temperatures. For some cases, crystallization could be suppressed, and room-temperature liquid crystalline phases were obtained. The mesomorphic properties of several mixtures of ionic liquid crystals were investigated. Many mixtures showed full miscibility and ideal mixing behavior; however, in some instances we observed, surprisingly, complete demixing of the component SmA phases. The ionic liquid crystals and mixtures presented have potential applications, due to their low melting temperatures, wide temperature ranges, and stability with extra ion-doping

Probing a conjugated polymer's transfer of organization-dependent properties from solutions to films

The dynamic transfer of a conjugated polymer's organization-dependent properties from the solution state to the solid film state was probed by circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Different supramolecular organizations within films and aggregate solutions of a chiral poly(p-phenylenevinylene) derivative led to opposite CPL and CD spectra. These dramatic property differences were controlled by regulating the polymer's self-assembly through solvent selection and film annealing. Therefore, different processing conditions can greatly affect the functional properties of conjugated polymer films employed in various optoelectronic application

A proton-doped calix[4]arene-based conducting polymer

Segmented conducting polymers based upon a calix[4]arene scaffold are reported. The cone conformation creates a zigzag orientation of the polymer segments. Their acid-dependent conductivities are similar to the strong pH conductivity dependence of polyaniline which is said to be acid dopable. On the other hand, they have a segmented structure that imposes greater localization of the carriers. The conductivity of such a system can be considered to result from rapid self-exchange between discrete units. Hence, electron exchange between radical cations and p-diquinone salts produces the high conductivity of these polymers. Copyright © 2003 American Chemical Society

Sensory arrays of covalently functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes for explosive detection

Chemiresistive sensor arrays for cyclohexanone and nitromethane are fabricated using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) that are covalently functionalized with urea, thiourea, and squaramide containing selector units. Based on initial sensing results and H-1 NMR binding studies, the most promising selectors are chosen and further optimized. These optimized selectors are attached to SWCNTs and simultaneously tested in a sensor array. The sensors show a very high level of reproducibility between measurements with the same sensor and across different sensors of the same type. Furthermore, the sensors show promising long-term stability, which renders them suitable for practical applications

Polymer-based photonic crystals

In this report, we highlight the development of polymers as 1D photonic crystals and subsequently place special emphasis on the activities in self-assembled block copolymers as a promising platform material for new photonic crystals. We review recent progress, including the use of plasticizer and homopolymer blends of diblock copolymers to increase periodicity and the role of the self-assembly in producing 2D and 3D photonic crystals. The employment of the inorganic nanoparticles to increase the dielectric contrast and the application of a biasing field during self-assembly to control the long-range domain order and orientation are examined, as well as in-situ tunable materials via a mechanochromic materials system. Finally, the inherent optical anisotropy of extruded polymer films and side-chain liquid-crystals-line polymer is shown to provide greater degrees of freedom for further novel optical designs