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Abstract
Smart soft materials are envisioned to be the building blocks of the next generation of advanced devices and digitally augmented technologies. In this context, liquid crystals (LCs) owing to their responsive and adaptive attributes could serve as promising smart soft materials. LCs played a critical role in revolutionizing the information display industry in the 20th century. However, in the turn of the 21st century, numerous beyond-display applications of LCs have been demonstrated, which elegantly exploit their controllable stimuli-responsive and adaptive characteristics. For these applications, new LC materials have been rationally designed and developed. In this Review, we present the recent developments in light driven chiral LCs, i.e., cholesteric and blue phases, LC based smart windows that control the entrance of heat and light from outdoor to the interior of buildings and built environments depending on the weather conditions, LC elastomers for bioinspired, biological, and actuator applications, LC based biosensors for detection of proteins, nucleic acids, and viruses, LC based porous membranes for the separation of ions, molecules, and microbes, living LCs, and LCs under macro- and nanoscopic confinement. The Review concludes with a summary and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for LCs as smart soft materials. This Review is anticipated to stimulate eclectic ideas toward the implementation of the nature's delicate phase of matter in future generations of smart and augmented devices and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Krishna Bisoyi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Quan Li
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States.,Institute of Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and Jiangsu Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
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Jiang XQ, Zhao RY, Chang WY, Yin DX, Guo YC, Wang W, Liang DH, Yang S, Shi AC, Chen EQ. Highly Ordered Sub-10 nm Patterns Based on Multichain Columns of Side-Chain Liquid Crystalline Polymers. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b00910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - An-Chang Shi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M1, Canada
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Zou C, Wang J, Wang M, Wu Y, Gu K, Shen Z, Xiong G, Yang H, Jiang L, Ikeda T. Patterning of Discotic Liquid Crystals with Tunable Molecular Orientation for Electronic Applications. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:e1800557. [PMID: 29667319 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201800557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The large-area formation of functional micropatterns with liquid crystals is of great significance for diversified applications in interdisciplinary fields. Meanwhile, the control of molecular alignment in the patterns is fundamental and prerequisite for the adequate exploitation of their photoelectric properties. However, it would be extremely complicated and challenging for discotic liquid crystals (DLCs) to achieve the goal, because they are insensitive to external fields and surface chemistry. Herein, a simple method of patterning and aligning DLCs on flat substrates is disclosed through precise control of the formation and dewetting of the capillary liquid bridges, within which the DLC molecules are confined. Large-area uniform alignment occurs spontaneously due to directional shearing force when the solvent is slowly evaporated and programmable patterns could be directly generated on desired substrates. Moreover, the in-plane column direction of DLCs is tunable by slightly tailoring their chemical structures which changes their self-assembly behaviors in liquid bridges. The patterned DLCs show molecular orientation-dependent charge transport properties and are promising for templating self-assembly of other materials. The study provides a facile method for manipulation of the macroscopic patterns and microscopic molecular orientation which opens up new opportunities for electronic applications of DLCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zou
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China
| | - Jingxia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China
| | - Yuchen Wu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Kehua Gu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Zhihao Shen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Guirong Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Huai Yang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Tomiki Ikeda
- Research and Development Initiative, Chuo University, Tokyo, 112-8551, Japan
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Nickmans K, Schenning APHJ. Directed Self-Assembly of Liquid-Crystalline Molecular Building Blocks for Sub-5 nm Nanopatterning. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:1703713. [PMID: 29052916 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201703713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The thin-film directed self-assembly of molecular building blocks into oriented nanostructure arrays enables next-generation lithography at the sub-5 nm scale. Currently, the fabrication of inorganic arrays from molecular building blocks is restricted by the limited long-range order and orientation of the materials, as well as suitable methodologies for creating lithographic templates at sub-5 nm dimensions. In recent years, higher-order liquid crystals have emerged as functional thin films for organic electronics, nanoporous membranes, and templated synthesis, which provide opportunities for their use as lithographic templates. By choosing examples from these fields, recent progress toward the design of molecular building blocks is highlighted, with an emphasis on liquid crystals, to access sub-5 nm features, their directed self-assembly into oriented thin films, and, importantly, the fabrication of inorganic arrays. Finally, future challenges regarding sub-5 nm patterning with liquid crystals are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen Nickmans
- Laboratory of Functional Organic Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albert P H J Schenning
- Laboratory of Functional Organic Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Basova T, Hassan A, Durmuſ M, Gürek AG, Ahsen V. Liquid crystalline metal phthalocyanines: Structural organization on the substrate surface. Coord Chem Rev 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Całus S, Kityk AV, Borowik L, Lefort R, Morineau D, Krause C, Schönhals A, Busch M, Huber P. High-resolution dielectric study reveals pore-size-dependent orientational order of a discotic liquid crystal confined in tubular nanopores. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2015; 92:012503. [PMID: 26274191 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.92.012503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2015] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
We report a high-resolution dielectric study on a pyrene-based discotic liquid crystal (DLC) in the bulk state and confined in parallel tubular nanopores of monolithic silica and alumina membranes. The positive dielectric anisotropy of the DLC molecule at low frequencies (in the quasistatic case) allows us to explore the thermotropic collective orientational order. A face-on arrangement of the molecular discs on the pore walls and a corresponding radial arrangement of the molecules is found. In contrast to the bulk, the isotropic-to-columnar transition of the confined DLC is continuous, shifts with decreasing pore diameter to lower temperatures, and exhibits a pronounced hysteresis between cooling and heating. These findings corroborate conclusions from previous neutron and x-ray-scattering experiments as well as optical birefringence measurements. Our study also indicates that the relative simple dielectric technique presented here is a quite efficient method in order to study the thermotropic orientational order of DLC-based nanocomposites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Całus
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, 42-200 Czestochowa, Poland
| | - Andriy V Kityk
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, 42-200 Czestochowa, Poland
| | - Lech Borowik
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, 42-200 Czestochowa, Poland
| | - Ronan Lefort
- Institut de Physique de Rennes, UMR 6251, Université de Rennes 1, 35042 Rennes, France
| | - Denis Morineau
- Institut de Physique de Rennes, UMR 6251, Université de Rennes 1, 35042 Rennes, France
| | - Christina Krause
- BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, D-12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Schönhals
- BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, D-12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mark Busch
- Institute of Materials Physics and Technology, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), D-21073 Hamburg-Harburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Huber
- Institute of Materials Physics and Technology, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), D-21073 Hamburg-Harburg, Germany
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Schweicher G, Olivier Y, Lemaur V, Geerts YH. What Currently Limits Charge Carrier Mobility in Crystals of Molecular Semiconductors? Isr J Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.201400047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Zöphel L, Mali KS, Reddy PS, Wagner M, De Feyter S, Pisula W, Müllen K. 4,5-Pyrenocyanine-Just Another Phthalocyanine? A STM and 2D WAXS Study. Chemistry 2012; 18:3264-76. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201103476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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9
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Pisula W, Feng X, Müllen K. Tuning the columnar organization of discotic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2010; 22:3634-3649. [PMID: 20652899 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201000585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Pisula
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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Olivier Y, Muccioli L, Lemaur V, Geerts YH, Zannoni C, Cornil J. Theoretical characterization of the structural and hole transport dynamics in liquid-crystalline phthalocyanine stacks. J Phys Chem B 2010; 113:14102-11. [PMID: 19799445 DOI: 10.1021/jp9061169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We present a joint molecular dynamics (MD)/kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) study aimed at the atomistic description of charge transport in stacks of liquid-crystalline tetraalkoxy-substituted, metal-free phthalocyanines. The molecular dynamics simulations reproduce the major structural features of the mesophases, in particular, a phase transition around 340 K between the rectangular and hexagonal phases. Charge transport simulations based on a Monte Carlo algorithm show an increase by 2 orders of magnitude in the hole mobility when accounting for the rotational and translational dynamics. The results point to the formation of dynamical structural defects along the columns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Olivier
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, University of Mons-Hainaut, Place du Parc 20, BE-7000 Mons, Belgium
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