Self-Assembly of Coil/Liquid-Crystalline Diblock Copolymers in a Liquid Crystal Solvent

2009 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 299-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neal R. Scruggs ◽  
Rafael Verduzco ◽  
David Uhrig ◽  
Waliullah Khan ◽  
Soo-Young Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Liquid Crystalline ◽  
Diblock Copolymers

A Biological System Producing a Self-Assembling Cholesteric Protein Liquid Crystal

1971 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-109
Author(s):  
A. C. NEVILLE ◽  
B. M. LUKE
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Electron Micrographs ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Liquid Crystalline ◽  
Density Variation ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Electron Density Variation ◽  
Helicoidal Structure

The protein in the oothecal glands of praying mantids (Sphodromantis tenuidentata, Miomantis monacha) exists in the form of lamellar liquid crystalline spherulites, which coalesce as they flow out of a punctured gland tubule. Electron micrographs of sections of these spherulites after fixation show parabolic patterns of an electron-light component, set in a continuous matrix of protein. Such patterns arise in helicoidal systems (e.g. arthropod cuticle) and microdensitometric scans of the matrix show a rhythmical electron-density variation consistent with helicoidal structure. Double spiral patterns identical to those seen in liquid crystal spherulites are illustrated. These properties resemble those of cholesteric liquid crystals. The constructional units appear to be molecular rather than fibrillar as described by previous authors. The helicoidal architecture arises by self-assembly in the gland lumen. Lamellar surface structures self-assembled spontaneously on glass coverslips when the protein was left to stand for several days. When heated to 55 °C, the birefringent liquid crystalline protein abruptly changes to an isotropic gel, with associated loss of parabolic patterning in electron micrographs and of the rhythmical electron-density variation on microdensitometric scans. This behaviour is compared to the formation of gelatin from collagen, in terms of the randomization of an originally ordered secondary structure.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of Chiral Transfer in Optically Active Dopant – Nematic Liquid Crystal Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 6-26
Author(s):  
V. A. Burmistrov ◽  
V. V. Aleksandriiskii ◽  
I. V. Novikov ◽  
O. I. Koifman
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Nematic Liquid Crystal ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Liquid Crystalline ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Stationary Phases ◽  
Theoretical Description ◽  
Optically Active ◽  
Axial Coordination ◽  
Chiral Dopants

Induction of helical mesophases by incorporating chiral dopants into the nematics matrix is the promising modern trends in the chemistry of liquid crystals. This process is associated with a unique phenomenon - an amplification of chirality in liquid-crystalline phases, which ensures the detection of enantiomers by their chiral induction, much more sensitive than other methods. The relevance of this approach is due to the need to create perspective electro-optical devices operating with ultra-low control voltages based on twist effects, chromatographic stationary phases with high chiral selectivity, flexible magnets, photo-sensitive nanostructures, and other smart LC materials. The successful solution of these problems is impossible without experimental research and theoretical comprehension of the mechanisms of third level chiral transfer optically active dopant – nematic liquid crystal. In the last decade, a large number of works have appeared on the solution of these problems. This review is devoted to a generalization of the experimental results and a theoretical description of the transfer of molecular chirality to orientationally ordered systems with the participation of both chiral molecular substituents with an asymmetric carbon atom and planar or quasi-planar fragments chirally distorted relative to each other. The stereochemical aspects of induction associated with the structural correspondences of the dopant and nematic liquid crystal, as well as the main classes of optically active additives, are discussed. Application of metal complexes, both Werner and macroheterocyclic, are presented. Special attention is paid to the results of the mechanisms study of chiral transfer due to various intermolecular interactions: hydrogen bonding, axial coordination, and the formation of inclusion compounds. The high efficiency of induction of spiral mesophases has been demonstrated with a combination of different self-assembly mechanisms in liquid crystal - chiral additive systems.

scholarly journals Synthesis and characteristics of novel azo-based diblock copolymers and their self-assembly behavior via solvents and thermal annealing

e-Polymers ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athmen Zenati ◽  
Yang-Kyoo Han
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Nematic Phase ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Liquid Crystalline ◽  
Diblock Copolymers ◽  
Raft Polymerization ◽  
Gel Permeation Chromatography ◽  
Kinetic Studies ◽  
Morphological Properties ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry

AbstractA series of azo-based diblock copolymers (DBCs) with various compositions were successfully synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in anisole with PCAEMA-CTA (macro-CTA), DOPAM (new acrylamide monomer) and AIBN (initiator). Kinetic studies on diblock copolymerization manifested a controlled/living manner with good molecular weight control. Structures and properties of monomers and DBCs were determined by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Liquid crystalline (LC) phases and morphological properties were investigated using optical polarizing microscope (OPM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Experimental results demonstrated that the prepared PCAEMA-CTA and DBCs possessed low polydispersity index (≤1.37). All DBCs revealed sharp endothermic transition peaks corresponding to the smectic-to-nematic phase. DBCs with high azo contents showed batonnet textures of the smectic phase whereas DBCs of low azo segments displayed threaded textures of the nematic phase. DBC with 49 wt% of azo side-chains generated a lamellar compared to DBCs with low azo block (≤41 wt%) or non-azo block (≤38 wt%) which produced hexagonal-type nanostructures. In addition, all DBCs exhibited reversible trans-cis photoisomerization behavior under UV irradiation and dark storage at different intervals of time.

Self-Assembly of dPS-Liquid Crystalline Diblock Copolymer in a Nematic Liquid Crystal Solvent

2012 ◽  
Vol 45 (15) ◽  
pp. 6168-6175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soo-Young Park ◽  
Thangavelu Kavitha ◽  
Tahseen Kamal ◽  
Waliullah Khan ◽  
Taegyu Shin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Nematic Liquid Crystal ◽  
Diblock Copolymer ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Liquid Crystalline

scholarly journals Mono- and bilayer smectic liquid crystal ordering in dense solutions of “gapped” DNA duplexes

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (12) ◽  
pp. e2019996118
Author(s):  
Prabesh Gyawali ◽  
Rony Saha ◽  
Gregory P. Smith ◽  
Miroslaw Salamonczyk ◽  
Prakash Kharel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Liquid Crystalline ◽  
Smectic Layer ◽  
Bilayer Structure ◽  
Dna Duplexes ◽  
Cholesteric Phase ◽  
Smectic Liquid Crystal ◽  
Layer Structures ◽  
Gapped Dna

Although its mesomorphic properties have been studied for many years, only recently has the molecule of life begun to reveal the true range of its rich liquid crystalline behavior. End-to-end interactions between concentrated, ultrashort DNA duplexes—driving the self-assembly of aggregates that organize into liquid crystal phases—and the incorporation of flexible single-stranded “gaps” in otherwise fully paired duplexes—producing clear evidence of an elementary lamellar (smectic-A) phase in DNA solutions—are two exciting developments that have opened avenues for discovery. Here, we report on a wider investigation of the nature and temperature dependence of smectic ordering in concentrated solutions of various “gapped” DNA (GDNA) constructs. We examine symmetric GDNA constructs consisting of two 48-base pair duplex segments bridged by a single-stranded sequence of 2 to 20 thymine bases. Two distinct smectic layer structures are observed for DNA concentration in the range ∼230to∼280 mg/mL. One exhibits an interlayer periodicity comparable with two-duplex lengths (“bilayer” structure), and the other has a period similar to a single-duplex length (“monolayer” structure). The bilayer structure is observed for gap length ≳10 bases and melts into the cholesteric phase at a temperature between 30 °C and 35 °C. The monolayer structure predominates for gap length ≲10 bases and persists to >40 °C. We discuss models for the two layer structures and mechanisms for their stability. We also report results for asymmetric gapped constructs and for constructs with terminal overhangs, which further support the model layer structures.

scholarly journals Liquid crystal self-assembly of upconversion nanorods enriched by depletion forces for mesostructured material preparation

Nanoscale ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 4218-4227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Xie ◽  
Yuanyuan Li ◽  
Guoqing Wei ◽  
Qingkun Liu ◽  
Haridas Mundoor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Liquid Crystalline ◽  
Material Preparation ◽  
Mesostructured Material ◽  
Depletion Forces

A mesostructured orientationally ordered material with polarized upconversion properties is formed by using the liquid crystalline colloidal self-assembly of semiconductor nanorods.

scholarly journals A columnar liquid crystal with permanent polar order

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 985-989 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Guilleme ◽  
J. Aragó ◽  
E. Ortí ◽  
E. Cavero ◽  
T. Sierra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Liquid Crystalline ◽  
The Self ◽  
Polar Order ◽  
Crystalline Materials ◽  
Liquid Crystalline Materials

The self-assembly of axial dipolar subphthalocyanine molecules in the presence of electric fields leads to uniaxially oriented columnar liquid crystalline materials that exhibit permanent polarization.

Triply-periodic nanostructures in surfactant, block copolymer, and biomembrane systems, and simulation of TEMs

1993 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 884-885
Author(s):  
David M. Anderson ◽  
Tomas Landh
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystalline ◽  
Diblock Copolymers ◽  
Cubic Phase ◽  
List Type ◽  
Interpenetrating Networks ◽  
Triply Periodic ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Bicontinuous Cubic ◽  
Phase Liquid ◽  
Dividing Surface

First discovered in surfactant-water liquid crystalline systems, so-called ‘bicontinuous cubic phases’ have the property that hydropnilic and lipophilic microdomains form interpenetrating networks conforming to cubic lattices on the scale of nanometers. Later these same structures were found in star diblock copolymers, where the simultaneous continuity of elastomeric and glassy domains gives rise to unique physical properties. Today it is well-established that the symmetry and topology of such a morphology are accurately described by one of several triply-periodic minimal surfaces, and that the interface between hydrophilic and hydrophobic, or immiscible polymer, domains is described by a triply-periodic surface of constant, nonzero mean curvature. One example of such a dividing surface is shown in figure 5.The study of these structures has become of increasing importance in the past five years for two reasons:1)Bicontinuous cubic phase liquid crystals are now being polymerized to create microporous materials with monodispersed pores and readily functionalizable porewalls; figure 3 shows a TEM from a polymerized surfactant / methylmethacrylate / water cubic phase; and2)Compelling evidence has been found that these same morphologies describe biomembrane systems in a wide range of cells.

Self-Assembly Optical Components

2003 ◽  
Vol 771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel I. Lazarev ◽  
Michael V. Paukshto ◽  
Elena N. Sidorenko
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Crystalline State ◽  
Liquid Crystalline ◽  
Film Deposition ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Optical Components ◽  
Crystal Film ◽  
Solid Film ◽  
Thin Crystal

AbstractWe report a new method of Thin Crystal Film deposition. In the present paper we describe the method of crystallization, structure, and optical properties of Bisbenzimidazo[2,1-a:1',2',b']anthra[2,1,9-def:6,5,10-d'e'f']-diisoquinoline-6,9-dion (mixture with cis-isomer) (abbreviated DBI PTCA) sulfonation product. The Thin Crystal Film has a thickness of 200-1000 nm, with anisotropic optical properties such as refraction and absorption indices. X-ray diffraction data evidences a lyotropic liquid crystalline state in liquid phase and crystalline state in solid film. Anisotropic optical properties of the film make it useful in optical devices, e.g. liquid crystal displays.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document