Columnar liquid crystals have emerged as a promising class of materials for light emitting diodes, photovoltaic devices and field effect transistors. In addition to their practical importance, the ability of disc-shaped molecules to spontaneously form columnar nanostructures represents a striking example of self-assembly driven largely by ∏-∏ interactions. Any factor that alters the strength of ∏-stacking between neighbouring molecules should therefore have a dramatic impact on the propensity of these molecules to form columnar mesophases. Studying the relationship between a molecule's structure and its tendency to self-assemble into columns can thus provide valuable insight into the nature and strength of noncovalent interactions between discotic mesogens in addition to facilitating the design of new liquid crystalline materials. A series of disc-shaped molecules was produced by the condensation of 1,2-diamines with 2,3,6,7-tetraalkoxy-phenanthrene-9,10-diones in order to systematically investigate the relationship between changes in molecular structure and the self-assembly of columnar liquid crystalline phases. Functional groups were found to have a pronounced effect on the tendency of these molecules to self-assemble. Moreover, the thermal stability of these columnar phases was very sensitive to the position of the substituents and their electron withdrawing ability, with the columnar-to-isotropic transition temperature strongly related to Hammett Ơ-parameters of the functional groups. The effect of core size were also investigated through the preparation of molecules containing 4-, 5- and 6-membered fused aromatic rings. The effects of heteroatoms in the aromatic core were also explored. Phase behaviour had a striking dependence on both the number and position of heteroatoms in the core. Furthermore, substituting hexaalkoxy-[a, c]dibenzophenazine with different lengths of pendant chains showed that changing molecular symmetry and shape had an effect on the phase behaviour of discotic mesogens.

The chemistry, physics, and applications of liquid crystals beyond LCDs Liquid Crystals (LCs) combine order and mobility on a molecular and supramolecular level. But while these remarkable states of matter are most commonly associated with visual display technologies, they have important applications for a variety of other fields as well. Liquid Crystals Beyond Displays: Chemistry, Physics, and Applications considers these, bringing together cutting-edge research from some of the most promising areas of LC science. Featuring contributions from respected researchers from around the globe, this edited volume emphasizes the chemistry, physics, and applications of LCs in areas such as photovoltaics, light-emitting diodes, filed-effect transistors, lasers, molecular motors, nanophotonics and biosensors. Specific chapters look at magnetic LCs, lyotropic chromonic LCs, LC-based chemical sensors, LCs in metamaterials, and much more. Introducing readers to the fundamentals of LC science through the use of illustrative examples, Liquid Crystals Beyond Displays covers not only the most recent research in the myriad areas in which LCs are being utilized, but also looks ahead, addressing potential future developments. Designed for physicists, chemists, engineers, and biologists working in academia or industry, as well as graduate students specializing in LC technology, this is the first book to consider LC applications across a wide range of fields.

This multi-authored book includes selected contributions reviewing the results achieved in the synthesis and characterization of organized polymeric materials. The focus is on competitive materials with liquid crystalline or electroconductive properties. The fine tuning of the properties offered by advanced chemical synthesis has been investigated by a large number of state-of-the-art techniques, including both microscopic (ESR, NMR, dielectrometry, fluorescence, IR, Raman spectroscopy) and macroscopic (calorimetric, mechanical) methodologies. The book also provides an updated coverage of the most challenging applications of organized polymers as functional materials in the fields of electrooptical devices, information retrieval and organic electroconductors.

The self-contained properties of discotic liquid crystals (DLCs) render them powerful functional materials for many semiconducting device applications and models for energy and charge migration in self-organized dynamic functional soft materials. The past three decades have seen tremendous interest in this area, fueled primarily by the possibility

Because of their unique properties (size, shape, and surface functions), functional materials are gaining significant attention in the areas of energy conversion and storage, sensing, electronics, photonics, and biomedicine. Within the chapters of this book written by well-known researchers, one will find the range of methods that have been developed for preparation and functionalization of organic, inorganic and hybrid structures which are the necessary building blocks for the architecture of various advanced functional materials. The book discusses these innovative methodologies and research strategies, as well as provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of the cutting-edge research on the processing, properties and technology developments of advanced functional materials and their applications. Specifically, Advanced Functional Materials: Compiles the objectives related to functional materials and provides detailed reviews of fundamentals, novel production methods, and frontiers of functional materials, including metalic oxides, conducting polymers, carbon nanotubes, discotic liquid crystalline dimers, calixarenes, crown ethers, chitosan and graphene. Discusses the production and characterization of these materials, while mentioning recent approaches developed as well as their uses and applications for sensitive chemiresistors, optical and electronic materials, solar hydrogen generation, supercapacitors, display and organic light-emitting diodes, functional adsorbents, and antimicrobial and biocompatible layer formation. This volume in the Advanced Materials Book Series includes twelve chapters divided into two main areas: Part 1: Functional Metal Oxides: Architecture, Design and Applications and Part 2: Multifunctional Hybrid Materials: Fundamentals and Frontiers