In this dissertation molecular dynamics simulations of behavior of polymer liquid crystals (PLC's) under tensile deformation have been performed. PLC's composed of random or block copolymers of rigid and flexible segments have been studies. Systems of fully flexible chains have been simulated for comparison. Stress-strain relations and fracture mechanics have been investigated.

A presente tese descreve a síntese e caracterização de 10 novas séries de moléculas na forma de banana contendo os anéis isoxazolina e isoxazol como reais candidatos na preparação de cristais líquidos polares. Foram avaliados parâmetros estruturais tais como o tipo de função conectora do centro curvado com os braços mesogênicos, a natureza do heterociclo e a sua posição relativa ao núcleo. A síntese dos compostos contou com a metodologia de preparação do anel isoxazolina, a cicloadição [3+2] 1,3-dipolar entre alcenos e óxidos de nitrila, os quais foram gerados pelas oximas preparadas a partir de aldeídos alifáticos e aromáticos. Todas as isoxazolinas foram oxidadas aos seus respectivos isoxazóis utilizando dióxido de manganês. Foram utilizadas ainda reações de alquilação, redução, desproteção, hidrogenólise, olefinação, adição de aminas à aldeídos e esterificação. Todas as moléculas sintetizadas foram caracterizadas por RMN de 1H e 13C, além de serem observadas por MOLP para determinação dos seus pontos de fusão. As moléculas que apresentaram comportamento mesomórfico foram ainda caracterizadas por DSC, XRD e voltagem triangular. No capítulo 3 é descrita a síntese dos isoftalatos 19a-b, 20a-b, 26a-b e 27a-b. No subgrupo dos Isoftalatos derivados de isoxazóis e isoxazolinas 3,5-diarilsubstituídos foi possível a síntese apenas do composto 11d que não apresentou comportamento líquido cristalino No subgrupo dos isoftalatos derivados de isoxazóis e isoxazolinas 3-alquil-5-arilsubstituídos as isoxazolinas 19a-b não apresentaram comportamento líquido-cristalino. Foram encontradas mesofases para os compostos 20a-b que ainda não foram determinadas com as técnicas disponíveis. Os isoxazóis 20a-b apresentaram uma provável Blue Phase logo após o resfriamento do isotrópico, que rapidamente se converte em uma provável mesofase monotrópica ferroelétrica com texturas e padrão de XRD peculiares até então não observada na literatura. No subgrupo dos isoftalatos derivados de isoxazóis e isoxazolinas 3-aril-5-alquilsubstituídos 26a-b e 27a-b não foi observado comportamento líquido-cristalino. O capítulo 4 descreve a síntese das isoftaliminas 35, 36, 44, 45, 50a-b, 51a-b, 56a-d, 57a-d, 63a-b e 64a-b. No subgrupo dos isoxazóis e isoxazolinas 3,5-diarilsubstituídos 35, 36, 44 e 45 foram observadas as mesofases B7 e B1 apenas com a inversão da orientação do anel isoxazol como braçomesogênicos dos compostos finais, enquanto que as isoxazolinas não apresentaram mesofases. A mesofase B7 do composto 36 apresentou comportamento antiferroelétrico enquanto que a mesofase B1 do composto 45 não mostrou resposta frente ao campo elétrico aplicado, além disso, o XRD mostrou que tal mesofase colunar B1 pode ser uma fase 3D modulada. No subgrupo das isoxazolinas e isoxazóis 3-alquil-5-arilsubstituídos 50a-b e 51a-b foram observadas fases do tipo DC para as isoxazolinas 50a-b, a qual deve ser confirmada por FFTEM. No subgrupo dos materiais 3-aril-5-alquilsubstituídos 56a-d, 57a-d, 63a-b e 64a-b foram observadas mesofases SmXPF para os compostos 56b-d. Os isoxazóis 57a-d apresentaram texturas similares, porém não apresentaram mesofase, mas os mesmos seguem o mesmo padrão de difração das isoxazolinas do capítulo 3. Apenas a isoxazolina 63b dos compostos perfluorados apresentou mesofase No capítulo 5 é descrita a síntese de ésteres não-simétricos contendo os heterociclos isoxazol e isoxazolinas como núcleo central 71a-f, 82, 83, 84 e 85. No primeiro subgrupo todos os ésteres cinâmicos 71a-f apresentaram comportamento mesomórfico com grandes faixas de temperaturas nas mesofases. No segundo subgrupo as isoxazolinas 82 e 83 apresentaram comportamento completamente distinto, onde só foi observada a formação de uma mesofase SmB para o composto que tem a posição éster localizada na direção do nitrogênio do heterociclo. Já os isoxazóis 84 e 85 deste subgrupo apresentaram as mesofases N e SmC em temperaturas bastante similares, porém, a observação desses materiais em uma cela alinhada revelou o crescimento de filamentos na transição N-SmC apenas para o composto 85, o qual também possui a porção éster na direção do nitrogênio do anel isoxazol. O capítulo 6 traz a síntese dos ésteres e iminas simétricos 88, 89, 94 e 95 utilizando os heterociclos como núcleo central, os quais apresentaram mesofases SmC e N. Além disso, o diéster 89 derivado de isoxazol apresentou a mesma característica que o composto 85 do capítulo 5, apresentando uma transição N-SmC com crescimento de filamentos perpendiculares à direção de alinhamento da amostra dentro da cela, podendo estar relacionada à uma mesofase NTB. / This thesis describe the synthesis and characterization of 10 new series of banana shaped molecules containing the isoxazoline and isoxazole rings as real players for preparation of polar liquid crystals. It was evaluate structural parameters such as the type of connecting function of the bent core with the mesogenic arms, the heterocycle nature and its position relative to the central core. The synthesis of the compounds included the methodology of preparation of the isoxazoline ring, the [3 + 2] 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between alkenes and nitrile oxides, which were generated by the oximes prepared from aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes. Furthermore, all isoxazolines were oxidized to its respective isoxazoles using manganese dioxide. Besides the described methodologies, alkylation, reduction, deprotection, hydrogenolysis, olefination, addition of amines to the aldehydes and esterification reactions were used. All the synthesized molecules were characterized by 1H NMR and 13C NMR, and also observed by POM for determination of its melting points. The molecules previously analyzed by POM that showed mesomorphic behavior were characterized by DSC, XRD and triangular voltage still. Chapter 3 describes the synthesis of isophthalates 19a-b, 20a-b, 26a-b e 27a-b. In the subgroup of isophthalates derived from isoxazoles and isoxazolines 3,5-diarylsubstituted it was possible to synthesize only compound 11d which did not show liquid crystalline behavior In the subgroup of the isophthalates derived from isoxazoles and isoxazolines 3-alkyl-5-arylsubstituted the isoxazolines 19a-b did not show liquid crystalline behavior. It was found mesophases for compounds 20a-b that still could not be determined with the available techniques. The isoxazoles 20a-b presented a probable Blue Phase soon after cooling from the isotropic which quickly converts into a probable ferroelectric monotropic mesophase with peculiar textures and pattern of XRD until then not observed in the literature. In the subgroup of the isophthalates of isoxazoles and isoxazolines 3-aryl-5-alkylsubstituted 26a-b and 27a-b no liquid crystalline behavior was observed. Chapter 4 describes the synthesis of isophthalimines 35, 36, 44, 45, 50a-b, 51a-b, 56a-d, 57a-d, 63a-b and 64a-b. In the subgroup of the isoxazoles 3,5-diarylsubstituted 35, 36, 44 and 45 the B7 and B1 mesophases were observed only with the inversion of the isoxazole ring orientation as mesogenic arm of thefinal compounds whereas the isoxazolines did not present mesophases. The B7 mesophase of the compound 36 showed antiferroelectric switching while the B1 mesophase of the compound 45 showed no response to the applied electric field, in addition, the XRD showed that such B1 columnar mesophase could be a 3D modulated phase one. In the subgroup of 3-alkyl-5-arylsubstituted isoxazolines and isoxazoles 50a-b and 51a-b DC phases were observed for isoxazolines 50a-b which should be confirmed by FFTEM. The SmXPF mesophase were observed for componds 56b-d in the subgroup of 3-aryl-5-alkylsubstituted materials 56a-d, 57a-d, 63a-b e 64a-b. The isoxazoles 57a-d presented similar textures although did not showed mesophase, but they follow the same diffraction pattern of the chapter 3 isoxazolines. Only the isoxazoline 63b of the perfluorinated compounds showed mesophase In chapter 5 is described the synthesis of non-symmetric esters containing isoxazol and isoxazolines heterocycles as central core 71a-f, 82, 83, 84 e 85. In the first subgroup all the cinnamic esters 71a-f showed mesomorphic behavior with large mesophases temperature ranges. In the second subgroup the isoxazolines 82 and 83 showed completely different behavior which only was observed the SmB mesophase formation for compound having the ester position towards the heterocycle nitrogen. Furthermore, the isoxazoles 84 and 85 of this subgroup showed the N and SmC mesophases at very similar temperatures, however, the observation of these materials in an aligned cell revealed the filamentary growth in the N-SmC transition only for compound 85, which also has the ester moiety in the direction of the isoxazole ring nitrogen. Chapter 6 brings forward the synthesis of symmetrical esters and imines 88, 89, 94 and 95 using the heterocycles as the central cores, which showed SmC and N mesophases. Moreover, the isoxazole derived diester 89 showed the same feature as compound 85 of Chapter 5, exhibiting a N-SmC transition with filament growth perpendicular to the rubbing direction of the cell which may be related to a NTB mesophase.

A presente tese descreve a síntese e caracterização de 10 novas séries de moléculas na forma de banana contendo os anéis isoxazolina e isoxazol como reais candidatos na preparação de cristais líquidos polares. Foram avaliados parâmetros estruturais tais como o tipo de função conectora do centro curvado com os braços mesogênicos, a natureza do heterociclo e a sua posição relativa ao núcleo. A síntese dos compostos contou com a metodologia de preparação do anel isoxazolina, a cicloadição [3+2] 1,3-dipolar entre alcenos e óxidos de nitrila, os quais foram gerados pelas oximas preparadas a partir de aldeídos alifáticos e aromáticos. Todas as isoxazolinas foram oxidadas aos seus respectivos isoxazóis utilizando dióxido de manganês. Foram utilizadas ainda reações de alquilação, redução, desproteção, hidrogenólise, olefinação, adição de aminas à aldeídos e esterificação. Todas as moléculas sintetizadas foram caracterizadas por RMN de 1H e 13C, além de serem observadas por MOLP para determinação dos seus pontos de fusão. As moléculas que apresentaram comportamento mesomórfico foram ainda caracterizadas por DSC, XRD e voltagem triangular. No capítulo 3 é descrita a síntese dos isoftalatos 19a-b, 20a-b, 26a-b e 27a-b. No subgrupo dos Isoftalatos derivados de isoxazóis e isoxazolinas 3,5-diarilsubstituídos foi possível a síntese apenas do composto 11d que não apresentou comportamento líquido cristalino No subgrupo dos isoftalatos derivados de isoxazóis e isoxazolinas 3-alquil-5-arilsubstituídos as isoxazolinas 19a-b não apresentaram comportamento líquido-cristalino. Foram encontradas mesofases para os compostos 20a-b que ainda não foram determinadas com as técnicas disponíveis. Os isoxazóis 20a-b apresentaram uma provável Blue Phase logo após o resfriamento do isotrópico, que rapidamente se converte em uma provável mesofase monotrópica ferroelétrica com texturas e padrão de XRD peculiares até então não observada na literatura. No subgrupo dos isoftalatos derivados de isoxazóis e isoxazolinas 3-aril-5-alquilsubstituídos 26a-b e 27a-b não foi observado comportamento líquido-cristalino. O capítulo 4 descreve a síntese das isoftaliminas 35, 36, 44, 45, 50a-b, 51a-b, 56a-d, 57a-d, 63a-b e 64a-b. No subgrupo dos isoxazóis e isoxazolinas 3,5-diarilsubstituídos 35, 36, 44 e 45 foram observadas as mesofases B7 e B1 apenas com a inversão da orientação do anel isoxazol como braçomesogênicos dos compostos finais, enquanto que as isoxazolinas não apresentaram mesofases. A mesofase B7 do composto 36 apresentou comportamento antiferroelétrico enquanto que a mesofase B1 do composto 45 não mostrou resposta frente ao campo elétrico aplicado, além disso, o XRD mostrou que tal mesofase colunar B1 pode ser uma fase 3D modulada. No subgrupo das isoxazolinas e isoxazóis 3-alquil-5-arilsubstituídos 50a-b e 51a-b foram observadas fases do tipo DC para as isoxazolinas 50a-b, a qual deve ser confirmada por FFTEM. No subgrupo dos materiais 3-aril-5-alquilsubstituídos 56a-d, 57a-d, 63a-b e 64a-b foram observadas mesofases SmXPF para os compostos 56b-d. Os isoxazóis 57a-d apresentaram texturas similares, porém não apresentaram mesofase, mas os mesmos seguem o mesmo padrão de difração das isoxazolinas do capítulo 3. Apenas a isoxazolina 63b dos compostos perfluorados apresentou mesofase No capítulo 5 é descrita a síntese de ésteres não-simétricos contendo os heterociclos isoxazol e isoxazolinas como núcleo central 71a-f, 82, 83, 84 e 85. No primeiro subgrupo todos os ésteres cinâmicos 71a-f apresentaram comportamento mesomórfico com grandes faixas de temperaturas nas mesofases. No segundo subgrupo as isoxazolinas 82 e 83 apresentaram comportamento completamente distinto, onde só foi observada a formação de uma mesofase SmB para o composto que tem a posição éster localizada na direção do nitrogênio do heterociclo. Já os isoxazóis 84 e 85 deste subgrupo apresentaram as mesofases N e SmC em temperaturas bastante similares, porém, a observação desses materiais em uma cela alinhada revelou o crescimento de filamentos na transição N-SmC apenas para o composto 85, o qual também possui a porção éster na direção do nitrogênio do anel isoxazol. O capítulo 6 traz a síntese dos ésteres e iminas simétricos 88, 89, 94 e 95 utilizando os heterociclos como núcleo central, os quais apresentaram mesofases SmC e N. Além disso, o diéster 89 derivado de isoxazol apresentou a mesma característica que o composto 85 do capítulo 5, apresentando uma transição N-SmC com crescimento de filamentos perpendiculares à direção de alinhamento da amostra dentro da cela, podendo estar relacionada à uma mesofase NTB. / This thesis describe the synthesis and characterization of 10 new series of banana shaped molecules containing the isoxazoline and isoxazole rings as real players for preparation of polar liquid crystals. It was evaluate structural parameters such as the type of connecting function of the bent core with the mesogenic arms, the heterocycle nature and its position relative to the central core. The synthesis of the compounds included the methodology of preparation of the isoxazoline ring, the [3 + 2] 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between alkenes and nitrile oxides, which were generated by the oximes prepared from aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes. Furthermore, all isoxazolines were oxidized to its respective isoxazoles using manganese dioxide. Besides the described methodologies, alkylation, reduction, deprotection, hydrogenolysis, olefination, addition of amines to the aldehydes and esterification reactions were used. All the synthesized molecules were characterized by 1H NMR and 13C NMR, and also observed by POM for determination of its melting points. The molecules previously analyzed by POM that showed mesomorphic behavior were characterized by DSC, XRD and triangular voltage still. Chapter 3 describes the synthesis of isophthalates 19a-b, 20a-b, 26a-b e 27a-b. In the subgroup of isophthalates derived from isoxazoles and isoxazolines 3,5-diarylsubstituted it was possible to synthesize only compound 11d which did not show liquid crystalline behavior In the subgroup of the isophthalates derived from isoxazoles and isoxazolines 3-alkyl-5-arylsubstituted the isoxazolines 19a-b did not show liquid crystalline behavior. It was found mesophases for compounds 20a-b that still could not be determined with the available techniques. The isoxazoles 20a-b presented a probable Blue Phase soon after cooling from the isotropic which quickly converts into a probable ferroelectric monotropic mesophase with peculiar textures and pattern of XRD until then not observed in the literature. In the subgroup of the isophthalates of isoxazoles and isoxazolines 3-aryl-5-alkylsubstituted 26a-b and 27a-b no liquid crystalline behavior was observed. Chapter 4 describes the synthesis of isophthalimines 35, 36, 44, 45, 50a-b, 51a-b, 56a-d, 57a-d, 63a-b and 64a-b. In the subgroup of the isoxazoles 3,5-diarylsubstituted 35, 36, 44 and 45 the B7 and B1 mesophases were observed only with the inversion of the isoxazole ring orientation as mesogenic arm of thefinal compounds whereas the isoxazolines did not present mesophases. The B7 mesophase of the compound 36 showed antiferroelectric switching while the B1 mesophase of the compound 45 showed no response to the applied electric field, in addition, the XRD showed that such B1 columnar mesophase could be a 3D modulated phase one. In the subgroup of 3-alkyl-5-arylsubstituted isoxazolines and isoxazoles 50a-b and 51a-b DC phases were observed for isoxazolines 50a-b which should be confirmed by FFTEM. The SmXPF mesophase were observed for componds 56b-d in the subgroup of 3-aryl-5-alkylsubstituted materials 56a-d, 57a-d, 63a-b e 64a-b. The isoxazoles 57a-d presented similar textures although did not showed mesophase, but they follow the same diffraction pattern of the chapter 3 isoxazolines. Only the isoxazoline 63b of the perfluorinated compounds showed mesophase In chapter 5 is described the synthesis of non-symmetric esters containing isoxazol and isoxazolines heterocycles as central core 71a-f, 82, 83, 84 e 85. In the first subgroup all the cinnamic esters 71a-f showed mesomorphic behavior with large mesophases temperature ranges. In the second subgroup the isoxazolines 82 and 83 showed completely different behavior which only was observed the SmB mesophase formation for compound having the ester position towards the heterocycle nitrogen. Furthermore, the isoxazoles 84 and 85 of this subgroup showed the N and SmC mesophases at very similar temperatures, however, the observation of these materials in an aligned cell revealed the filamentary growth in the N-SmC transition only for compound 85, which also has the ester moiety in the direction of the isoxazole ring nitrogen. Chapter 6 brings forward the synthesis of symmetrical esters and imines 88, 89, 94 and 95 using the heterocycles as the central cores, which showed SmC and N mesophases. Moreover, the isoxazole derived diester 89 showed the same feature as compound 85 of Chapter 5, exhibiting a N-SmC transition with filament growth perpendicular to the rubbing direction of the cell which may be related to a NTB mesophase.

A presente tese descreve a síntese e caracterização de 10 novas séries de moléculas na forma de banana contendo os anéis isoxazolina e isoxazol como reais candidatos na preparação de cristais líquidos polares. Foram avaliados parâmetros estruturais tais como o tipo de função conectora do centro curvado com os braços mesogênicos, a natureza do heterociclo e a sua posição relativa ao núcleo. A síntese dos compostos contou com a metodologia de preparação do anel isoxazolina, a cicloadição [3+2] 1,3-dipolar entre alcenos e óxidos de nitrila, os quais foram gerados pelas oximas preparadas a partir de aldeídos alifáticos e aromáticos. Todas as isoxazolinas foram oxidadas aos seus respectivos isoxazóis utilizando dióxido de manganês. Foram utilizadas ainda reações de alquilação, redução, desproteção, hidrogenólise, olefinação, adição de aminas à aldeídos e esterificação. Todas as moléculas sintetizadas foram caracterizadas por RMN de 1H e 13C, além de serem observadas por MOLP para determinação dos seus pontos de fusão. As moléculas que apresentaram comportamento mesomórfico foram ainda caracterizadas por DSC, XRD e voltagem triangular. No capítulo 3 é descrita a síntese dos isoftalatos 19a-b, 20a-b, 26a-b e 27a-b. No subgrupo dos Isoftalatos derivados de isoxazóis e isoxazolinas 3,5-diarilsubstituídos foi possível a síntese apenas do composto 11d que não apresentou comportamento líquido cristalino No subgrupo dos isoftalatos derivados de isoxazóis e isoxazolinas 3-alquil-5-arilsubstituídos as isoxazolinas 19a-b não apresentaram comportamento líquido-cristalino. Foram encontradas mesofases para os compostos 20a-b que ainda não foram determinadas com as técnicas disponíveis. Os isoxazóis 20a-b apresentaram uma provável Blue Phase logo após o resfriamento do isotrópico, que rapidamente se converte em uma provável mesofase monotrópica ferroelétrica com texturas e padrão de XRD peculiares até então não observada na literatura. No subgrupo dos isoftalatos derivados de isoxazóis e isoxazolinas 3-aril-5-alquilsubstituídos 26a-b e 27a-b não foi observado comportamento líquido-cristalino. O capítulo 4 descreve a síntese das isoftaliminas 35, 36, 44, 45, 50a-b, 51a-b, 56a-d, 57a-d, 63a-b e 64a-b. No subgrupo dos isoxazóis e isoxazolinas 3,5-diarilsubstituídos 35, 36, 44 e 45 foram observadas as mesofases B7 e B1 apenas com a inversão da orientação do anel isoxazol como braçomesogênicos dos compostos finais, enquanto que as isoxazolinas não apresentaram mesofases. A mesofase B7 do composto 36 apresentou comportamento antiferroelétrico enquanto que a mesofase B1 do composto 45 não mostrou resposta frente ao campo elétrico aplicado, além disso, o XRD mostrou que tal mesofase colunar B1 pode ser uma fase 3D modulada. No subgrupo das isoxazolinas e isoxazóis 3-alquil-5-arilsubstituídos 50a-b e 51a-b foram observadas fases do tipo DC para as isoxazolinas 50a-b, a qual deve ser confirmada por FFTEM. No subgrupo dos materiais 3-aril-5-alquilsubstituídos 56a-d, 57a-d, 63a-b e 64a-b foram observadas mesofases SmXPF para os compostos 56b-d. Os isoxazóis 57a-d apresentaram texturas similares, porém não apresentaram mesofase, mas os mesmos seguem o mesmo padrão de difração das isoxazolinas do capítulo 3. Apenas a isoxazolina 63b dos compostos perfluorados apresentou mesofase No capítulo 5 é descrita a síntese de ésteres não-simétricos contendo os heterociclos isoxazol e isoxazolinas como núcleo central 71a-f, 82, 83, 84 e 85. No primeiro subgrupo todos os ésteres cinâmicos 71a-f apresentaram comportamento mesomórfico com grandes faixas de temperaturas nas mesofases. No segundo subgrupo as isoxazolinas 82 e 83 apresentaram comportamento completamente distinto, onde só foi observada a formação de uma mesofase SmB para o composto que tem a posição éster localizada na direção do nitrogênio do heterociclo. Já os isoxazóis 84 e 85 deste subgrupo apresentaram as mesofases N e SmC em temperaturas bastante similares, porém, a observação desses materiais em uma cela alinhada revelou o crescimento de filamentos na transição N-SmC apenas para o composto 85, o qual também possui a porção éster na direção do nitrogênio do anel isoxazol. O capítulo 6 traz a síntese dos ésteres e iminas simétricos 88, 89, 94 e 95 utilizando os heterociclos como núcleo central, os quais apresentaram mesofases SmC e N. Além disso, o diéster 89 derivado de isoxazol apresentou a mesma característica que o composto 85 do capítulo 5, apresentando uma transição N-SmC com crescimento de filamentos perpendiculares à direção de alinhamento da amostra dentro da cela, podendo estar relacionada à uma mesofase NTB. / This thesis describe the synthesis and characterization of 10 new series of banana shaped molecules containing the isoxazoline and isoxazole rings as real players for preparation of polar liquid crystals. It was evaluate structural parameters such as the type of connecting function of the bent core with the mesogenic arms, the heterocycle nature and its position relative to the central core. The synthesis of the compounds included the methodology of preparation of the isoxazoline ring, the [3 + 2] 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between alkenes and nitrile oxides, which were generated by the oximes prepared from aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes. Furthermore, all isoxazolines were oxidized to its respective isoxazoles using manganese dioxide. Besides the described methodologies, alkylation, reduction, deprotection, hydrogenolysis, olefination, addition of amines to the aldehydes and esterification reactions were used. All the synthesized molecules were characterized by 1H NMR and 13C NMR, and also observed by POM for determination of its melting points. The molecules previously analyzed by POM that showed mesomorphic behavior were characterized by DSC, XRD and triangular voltage still. Chapter 3 describes the synthesis of isophthalates 19a-b, 20a-b, 26a-b e 27a-b. In the subgroup of isophthalates derived from isoxazoles and isoxazolines 3,5-diarylsubstituted it was possible to synthesize only compound 11d which did not show liquid crystalline behavior In the subgroup of the isophthalates derived from isoxazoles and isoxazolines 3-alkyl-5-arylsubstituted the isoxazolines 19a-b did not show liquid crystalline behavior. It was found mesophases for compounds 20a-b that still could not be determined with the available techniques. The isoxazoles 20a-b presented a probable Blue Phase soon after cooling from the isotropic which quickly converts into a probable ferroelectric monotropic mesophase with peculiar textures and pattern of XRD until then not observed in the literature. In the subgroup of the isophthalates of isoxazoles and isoxazolines 3-aryl-5-alkylsubstituted 26a-b and 27a-b no liquid crystalline behavior was observed. Chapter 4 describes the synthesis of isophthalimines 35, 36, 44, 45, 50a-b, 51a-b, 56a-d, 57a-d, 63a-b and 64a-b. In the subgroup of the isoxazoles 3,5-diarylsubstituted 35, 36, 44 and 45 the B7 and B1 mesophases were observed only with the inversion of the isoxazole ring orientation as mesogenic arm of thefinal compounds whereas the isoxazolines did not present mesophases. The B7 mesophase of the compound 36 showed antiferroelectric switching while the B1 mesophase of the compound 45 showed no response to the applied electric field, in addition, the XRD showed that such B1 columnar mesophase could be a 3D modulated phase one. In the subgroup of 3-alkyl-5-arylsubstituted isoxazolines and isoxazoles 50a-b and 51a-b DC phases were observed for isoxazolines 50a-b which should be confirmed by FFTEM. The SmXPF mesophase were observed for componds 56b-d in the subgroup of 3-aryl-5-alkylsubstituted materials 56a-d, 57a-d, 63a-b e 64a-b. The isoxazoles 57a-d presented similar textures although did not showed mesophase, but they follow the same diffraction pattern of the chapter 3 isoxazolines. Only the isoxazoline 63b of the perfluorinated compounds showed mesophase In chapter 5 is described the synthesis of non-symmetric esters containing isoxazol and isoxazolines heterocycles as central core 71a-f, 82, 83, 84 e 85. In the first subgroup all the cinnamic esters 71a-f showed mesomorphic behavior with large mesophases temperature ranges. In the second subgroup the isoxazolines 82 and 83 showed completely different behavior which only was observed the SmB mesophase formation for compound having the ester position towards the heterocycle nitrogen. Furthermore, the isoxazoles 84 and 85 of this subgroup showed the N and SmC mesophases at very similar temperatures, however, the observation of these materials in an aligned cell revealed the filamentary growth in the N-SmC transition only for compound 85, which also has the ester moiety in the direction of the isoxazole ring nitrogen. Chapter 6 brings forward the synthesis of symmetrical esters and imines 88, 89, 94 and 95 using the heterocycles as the central cores, which showed SmC and N mesophases. Moreover, the isoxazole derived diester 89 showed the same feature as compound 85 of Chapter 5, exhibiting a N-SmC transition with filament growth perpendicular to the rubbing direction of the cell which may be related to a NTB mesophase.

No description available.

The behavior of colloidal liquid crystals in confinement is addressed on the single particle level using laser scanning confocal microscopy. We seek to disentangle how equilibrium director fields are controlled by the complex interplay between confinement, elasticity and surface anchoring. First, we study the nematic phase confined to wedge structured channels. Varying the wedge opening angle leads to a splay to bend transition mediated by a defect in the bulk of the wedge. Our results are in quantitative agreement with lattice Boltzmann simulations, and we show that comparison between experiments and simulation yields a new method to obtain the splay-to-bend elasticity ratios of colloidal and biological liquid crystals. Next, we extend our study of the wedge structured channels to the cholesteric phase, and measure a splay to twist transition with increasing wedge angle. We directly visualise the 3D nature of the twisted state, and explain how the transition is intricately determined by the anchoring strength and the splay, bend, and twist elasticities. Next, we investigate the effect of rectangular confinement on the nematic phase. The rectangle aspect ratio is systematically varied and we observe five distinct director fields. Comparison with computations of the Frank-Oseen energies yields the extrapolation length, which we find to be of the order of the rod length. Next, we confine the nematic phase to annular geometries of varying dimensions, and observe the novel director fields that are adopted. We approach a level of confinement which is of the order of the particle size. Interpreting our observations with Monte Carlo simulations, which take into account the finite size of the particles, illuminates the applicability of continuum theories down to microscopic lengthscales. We finish with a study of the isotropic-nematic interface in bulk and confinement. We show that parallel anchoring occurs at the interface, and measure the width of the interface to be of the order of the rod length.

published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Liquid crystalline materials forming columnar mesophases are of importance for both the fundamental research and technological applications due to their supramolecular architecture allowing for one-dimensional charge transport. The potential applications of these materials include light emitting diodes, solar cells, field effect transistors and photovoltaic cells. However, to design a LC material suitable for a particular application, a fundamental understanding of the structure-property relationships is needed. In the present thesis, a variety of systems forming columnar mesophases have been explored. They include small molecular weight compounds (triphenylene, phthalocyanine derivatives and star-shaped mesogens) and polymer materials. The research was focused on the study of the influence of the molecular architecture and specific interactions such as hydrogen bonding on the supramolecular organization in the mesophase, as well as on the influence of columnar mesophase on crystal growth. The main results of the thesis are summarized below. The influence of hydrogen bonding on the structure and charge carrier mobility was investigated for a triphenylene derivative, hexaazatriphenylene, having lateral alkyl chains linked to the core via amide groups. These linking groups provide the possibility to form inter- and intra-molecular hydrogen bonds. Acting as “clamps”, the inter-molecular hydrogen bonds are found to enforce the attractive interactions between the molecules in the column. Thus, the columnar mesophase formed by this system is characterized by the smallest inter-disk distance ever found in columnar mesophases (3.18 Å). The improved intra-columnar order brings about a higher charge carrier mobility (0.02 cm2/Vs) as compared to other triphenylene derivatives without hydrogen bonds. Phthalocyanine derivatives, which are liquid crystalline at ambient temperature, could be suitable for opto-electronic applications due to their improved processibility and self-healing of structural defects. Our interest in these systems was inspired by the fact that, in spite of numerous studies performed to date, only very a few phthalocyanine derivatives were found to exhibit columnar mesophases at ambient temperature. We observed that by introducing branches in alkyl chains close to the core, we were able to render the material LC at ambient temperature. Analysis of X-ray diffraction patterns measured on oriented samples showed that these systems form hexagonal and rectangular ordered columnar mesophases. This finding is in contradiction with the general view stating that non-hexagonal mesophases can be only disordered. Since the absolute majority of applications require fabrication of films, it was very important to achieve the visualization of the organization of the phthalocyanine derivatives at the nanometer scale. AFM images on thick spin-coated films with columnar resolution are presented for the first time. They allowed the examination of columnar curvatures and breaks at the boundaries between different single crystal-like domains. The possibility of templating columnar crystal growth was studied for a star-shaped mesogen using a combination of direct- and reciprocal-space techniques. AFM images with columnar resolution showed that the crystal growth initiated in the monotropic columnar mesophase occurs almost in register with the mesomorphic template. In the final crystalline structure, the placement of the crystalline columns is controlled by the mesomorphic tracks at the scale of an individual column, i.e. at the scale of approximately 3.5 nm. The mesophase-assisted crystallization was also studied for the case of a polymer material forming columnar mesophase, poly(di-n-propylsiloxane). X-ray diffraction on oriented fibers allowed us to correct the previous indexation and solve the structure of the unit cell. The crystallization process was studied on samples crystallized in different conditions. It was found that, depending on crystallization conditions, both folded-chain and extended-chain crystals can be obtained. Thus, crystallization of the material from the mesophase results in the formation of 100-150nm thick crystals, which corresponds to a nearly extended-chain conformation. By contrast, when crystallized from a dilute solution, folded-chain crystals result. The mechanisms of chain unfolding was studied by variable temperature atomic force microscopy on PDPS single crystals. It was found that crystals rapidly thicken above the initial melting point, up to 80 nm.

No description available.

A new instrument, the liquid crystal point diffraction interferometer (LCPDI), has been developed for the measurement of phase objects. This instrument maintains the compact, robust design of Linnik's point diffiaction interferometer (PDI) and adds to it phase stepping capability for quantitative interferogram analysis. The result is a compact, simple to align, environmentally insensitive interferometer capable of accurately measuring optical wavefronts with very high data density and with automated data reduction. This dissertation describes the theory of both the PDI and liquid crystal phase control. The design considerations for the LCPDI are presented, including manufacturing considerations. The operation and performance of the LCPDI are discussed, including sections regarding alignment, calibration, and amplitude modulation effects. The LCPDI is then demonstrated using two phase objects: a defocus difference wavefront, and a temperature distribution across a heated chamber filled with silicone oil. The measured results are compared to theoretical or independently measured results and show excellent agreement. A computer simulation of the LCPDI was performed to verify the source of observed periodic phase measurement error. The error stems from intensity variations caused by dye molecules rotating within the liquid crystal layer. Methods are discussed for reducing this error. Algorithms are presented which reduce this error; they are also useful for any phase-stepping interferometer that has unwanted intensity fluctuations, such as those caused by unregulated lasers. It is expected that this instrument will have application in the fluid sciences as a diagnostic tool, particularly in space based applications where autonomy, robustness, and compactness are desirable qualities. It should also be useful for the testing of optical elements, provided a master is available for comparison.