Structural chirality vs Molecular Chirality
Principal investigator
One of the most recent examples of spontaneous chirality is the twist-bend nematic phase (NTB). Unlike the uniaxial nematic phase in which the preferred direction (director) of the molecules is parallel to the main molecular axis (Fig. 1a), the NTB phase is characterized by a spontaneous twist-bend distortion of the nematic director, which is organized on a conical helix (Fig. 1b). The formation of degenerate helices does not require molecular chirality, instead, it is facilitated by the shape of bent molecules.
The project arises from our previous work in this field of bent-shaped liquid crystal dimers. In continuation of our work on liquid-crystalline dimers, we proceed with the investigation of chiral flexible dimers. The project involves the design of a novel class of chiral dimers with the semi-flexible chiral moiety positioned in the spacer or within the mesogenic unit and an investigation of their mesogenic properties. Targeting bent-shaped molecules, the material represents a new platform for a thorough investigation of the structure-property relation of chiral bent-shaped dimers. It enables correlation between chiralities of different origins as well as the discovery of novel liquid crystalline phases predicted by a recent theory.
Team members
Dr. Irena Dokli,
Dr. Anamarija Knežević
Dr. Darko Kontrec
Dr. Jurica Novak
Antonija Ožegović, PhD student
Publications:
C. Meyer, P. Davidson, D. Constantin, V. Sergan, D. Stoenescu, A. Knežević, I. Dokli, A. Lesac, I. Dozov, "A Fréedericksz-like transition in a biaxial smectic A phase", Phys Rev. X 11 (2021) 031012. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevX.11.031012
A. Knežević, I. Dokli, J. Novak, D. Kontrec, A. Lesac*, "Fluorinated twist-bend nematogens: the role of intermolecular interaction" Liq. Cryst. 47 (2020) 756-766. DOI: 10.1080/02678292.2020.1817585
Conferences:
British Liquid Crystal Society Meeting, Aberdeen, 21-24 June 2021.
ARYL-3-HYDROXY PROPIONIC ACID – A VERSATILE CHIRAL BUILDING BLOCK FOR LIQUID CRYSTALS, a poster presentation by Antonija Ožegović
Funding
