Calamitic bisazobenzene liquid crystal series: synthesis and mesomorphic properties of 1-methoxyalkyloxy-4'-(4-phenylazo)azobenzene.

• Main Authors: Salisu, Abdulsalam Abubakar, Ab. Rahman, Mohamad Zaki, Silong, Sidik, Lutfor, Md Rahman, Ahmad @ Ayob, Mansor
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 2011
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/24797/; http://www.tandf.co.uk/
• Institution: Universiti Putra Malaysia

A new series of calamitic liquid crystal materials with bisazobenzene moieties as a core has been synthesised and characterised by spectroscopic methods. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, optical polarising microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The presence of nematic and smectic A mesophases was confirmed by the textures and X-ray diffraction studies. All the compounds are found to show enantiotropic mesophase behaviour. The compounds show a significant photoisomerisation under appropriate light irradiation.