Journal Article

PUBDB-2025-03955

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Self‐Assembly of Bent‐Core Nematics in Nanopores

Maksym, A. Z. ; Andrushchak, A. S. ; Shchur, Y. ; Sahraoui, B. ; Kula, P. ; Lelonek, M. ; Busch, M.Extern* ; Huber, P. (Corresponding author)Extern*DESY* ; Kityk, A. V.

2025
Wiley-VCH Weinheim

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1002/smll.202506651

Abstract: Bent-core nematic liquid crystals exhibit unique properties, including giantflexoelectricity and polar electro-optic responses, making them ideal forenergy conversion and electro-optic applications. When confined innanopores, they can stabilize chiral nanostructures, enhance polar order, andenable defect-driven switching – offering potential in nanofluidics, sensing,and adaptive optics. The thermotropic ordering of the bent-core dimer CB7CBconfined in anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) and silica membranes withprecisely engineered cylindrical nanochannels – ranging from just a fewnanometers to several hundred nanometers–is examined. These well-alignednanochannels enable high-resolution polarimetry studies of opticalanisotropy, revealing how geometric confinement affects molecularorganization and phase behavior. Under weak confinement, CB7CB forms alayered heterophase structure, with nematic, splay-bent, and twist-bentheliconical phases likely arranged concentrically. As confinement increases, aLandau-de Gennes analysis shows that ordered phases are suppressed,leaving only a paranematic phase under strong spatial constraints.Remarkably, temperature-dependent changes in optical birefringence underconfinement closely resemble those seen under applied electric fields,revealing a parallel between geometric and electro-optic effects. Overall, thiswork demonstrates how nanoconfinement allows one to systematically tailorthe self-assembly and optical behavior of bent-core nematics, enabling novelfunctionalities in responsive and anisotropic materials.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. CIMMS-RA Center for integr. Multiscale M (CIMMS)

Research Program(s):

1. 632 - Materials – Quantum, Complex and Functional Materials (POF4-632) (POF4-632)
2. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)430146019 - Ionische Flüssigkristalle in Nanoporösen Festkörpern: Selbstorganisation, molekulare Mobilität und elektro-optische Funktionalitäten (430146019) (430146019)

Experiment(s):

1. No specific instrument

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Database coverage:
; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; DEAL Wiley ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 10 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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