Skip to main content
Structural chirality vs Molecular Chirality
Category
Projekti Hrvatske zaklade za znanost
Total cost
270.000,00
EUR
Start date
Mar 1st 2020
End date
Jul 31st 2024
Status
Done

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

This site uses cookies.. Some of these cookies are essential, while others help us improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more detailed information on the cookies we use, please check our Privacy Policy.

Customise settings
  • Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.