Issue 64, 2017

Supramolecular control of liquid crystals by doping with halogen-bonding dyes

Abstract

Introducing photochromic or polymeric dopants into nematic liquid crystals is a well-established method to create stimuli-responsive photonic materials with the ability to “control light with light”. Herein, we demonstrate a new material design concept by showing that specific supramolecular interactions between the host liquid crystal and the guest dopants enhance the optical performance of the doped liquid crystals. By varying the type and strength of the dopant–host interaction, the phase-transition temperature, the order parameter of the guest molecules, and the diffraction signal in response to interference irradiation, can be accurately engineered. Our concept points out the potential of supramolecular interactions in liquid-crystal photonics, being valuable for optimizing the design of dye-doped functional liquid-crystalline systems.

Graphical abstract: Supramolecular control of liquid crystals by doping with halogen-bonding dyes

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
07 Jun 2017
Accepted
10 Aug 2017
First published
16 Aug 2017
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

RSC Adv., 2017,7, 40237-40242

Supramolecular control of liquid crystals by doping with halogen-bonding dyes

J. Vapaavuori, A. Siiskonen, V. Dichiarante, A. Forni, M. Saccone, T. Pilati, C. Pellerin, A. Shishido, P. Metrangolo and A. Priimagi, RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 40237 DOI: 10.1039/C7RA06397K

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