Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/2289/6384
Title: Monolayer to interdigitated partial bilayer smectic c transition in Thiophene-based spacer mesogens: x-ray diffraction and (13)c nuclear magnetic resonance studies
Authors: Kesava, Reddy M.
Varathan, E.
Lobo, Nitin P.
Roy, Arun
Narasimhaswamy, T.
Ramanathan, K.V.
Issue Date: 6-Oct-2015
Publisher: American Chemical Society
Citation: Langmuir, 2015, Vol. 31, p 10831
Abstract: Mesophase organization of molecules built with thiophene at the center and linked via flexible spacers to rigid side arm core units and terminal alkoxy chains has been investigated. Thirty homologues realized by varying the span of the spacers as well as the length of the terminal chains have been studied. In addition to the enantiotropic nematic phase observed for all the mesogens, the increase of the spacer as well as the terminal chain lengths resulted in the smectic C phase. The molecular organization in the smectic phase as investigated by temperature dependent X-ray diffraction measurements revealed an interesting behavior that depended on the length of the spacer vis-a-vis the length of the terminal chain. Thus, a tilted interdigitated partial bilayer organization was observed for molecules with a shorter spacer length, while a tilted monolayer arrangement was observed for those with a longer spacer length. High-resolution solid state 13C NMR studies carried out for representative mesogens indicated a U-shape for all the molecules, indicating that intermolecular interactions and molecular dynamics rather than molecular shape are responsible for the observed behavior. Models for the mesophase organization have been considered and the results understood in terms of segregation of incompatible parts of the mesogens combined with steric frustration leading to the observed lamellar order.
Description: Restricted Access.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2289/6384
ISSN: 0743-7463
1520-5827 (Online)
Alternative Location: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b02327
Copyright: 2015 American Chemical Society
Appears in Collections:Research Papers (SCM)

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