Abstract
In this work, we prepared a series of nonchiral bent-core molecules with different terminal alkoxy chain lengths, and measured the helical twisting power (HTP) of the bent-core molecules doped in a chiral nematic liquid crystal (N*LC). We investigated the doping effect through the colour change and spectral change due to the Bragg (selective) reflection and found that the bent-core molecules with longer alkoxy chains showed stronger HTP under chiral circumstances such as N*LC. Namely, not only the axial conformations at wings linked to the bent central unit but also the length of the alkoxy chains at the terminal positions of the bent-core molecules play an important role in the resulting unusual chiral behaviour. A preliminary stochastic dynamics simulation to determine the distribution of the chirality order parameters was made, being consistent with the present experimental result.
Original language | English |
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Journal | RSC Advances |
Volume | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2017 |