New symmetrical 1:2 supramolecular H-bonded liquid crystals (SMHBLCs) interactions, A/2Bn, were formed between adipic acid and 4-(4′–pyridylazophenyl) 4″-alkoxybenzoates. Optical and mesomorphic behaviors of the prepared SMHBLC complexes were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). FT-IR spectroscopy was carried out to confirm the H-bond interactions of the prepared complexes via Fermi bands formation. Their photo-physical properties were investigated by UV-spectroscopy and the observed absorbance values were found to be mainly dependent on the length of the terminal alkoxy chain. Mesomorphic behaviour for all A/2Bn complexes revealed that all complexes are dimorphic-exhibiting enantiotropic mesophases with induced nematic phases, except for the long chain terminal complex which exhibits only a monomorphic smectic A phase. In order to investigate the effect of mesogenic core geometry on the mesophase properties, a comparison was established between the mesomeric behaviors of the present complexes and previously reported rigid core acid complexes. Finally, the XRD pattern confirmed the POM and DSC results.

A new set of laterally OCH3-substituted photoactive liquid crystalline analogues, 4-hexyloxy phenyl- imino-4ʹ-(3-methoxyphenyl)-4ʹ’-alkoxybenzoates, were synthesized and investigated for their mesomorphic behavior. The prepared set constitutes five analogues that differ from each other by the terminally attached compact polar group. Characterization of the synthesized derivatives is conducted using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM), and UV-spectroscopy. Molecular structures were elucidated by elemental analyses, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. DSC and POM investigations indicated that all the prepared derivatives are monomorphic possessing the nematic (N) phase, except for the unsubstituted derivative that is nonmesomorphic. On the other side, the photophysical study and the optical spectra measurements confirm the photoactivity of the present compounds under UV/visible irradiation. The measured optical spectra showed impressive enhancement in the optical absorption and reduction in the optical bandgap from 3.63 to 3.0 eV depending on the terminal group. From the study of the DC electric properties, the lowest resistance, 106.5 GΩ at scan rate 0.1 V/s, was observed for the I6d film with Cl terminal, which decreased to 49.5 GΩ by increasing the scan rate to 0.5 V/s. Moreover, the electrical conductance is decreased from 9.39 pS to 1.35 pS at scan rate 0.1 V/s by changing the terminal group from Cl to F. The enhanced optical absorption and the reduced energy gap make the optimized samples suitable material for solar energy applications.

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The microstructure of the commercial alloy AA2195 was investigated on the nano-scale after conducting a T8 tempering. This particular thermo-mechanical treatment of the specimen resulted in the formation of platelet-shaped T 1 (Al 2 CuLi)/θ ′ (Al 2 Cu) within the Al-matrix. The electrochemically prepared samples were analyzed by scanning transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography for chemical mapping. The θ ′ platelets, which are less than 2 nm thick, have the stoichiometric composition consistent with the expected (Al 2 Cu) equilibrium composition. Additionally, the Li distribution inside the θ ′ platelets was found to equal the same value as in the matrix. The equally thin T 1 platelet deviates from the formula (Al 2 CuLi) in its stoichiometry and shows Mg enrichment inside the platelet without any indication of a higher segregation level at the precipitate/matrix interface. The deviation from the (Al 2 CuLi) stoichiometry cannot be simply interpreted as a consequence of artifacts when measuring the Cu and Li concentrations inside the T 1 platelet. The results show rather a strong hint for a true lower Li and Cu contents and hence, supporting reasonably the hypothesis that the real chemical composition for the thin T 1 platelet in the T8 tempering condition differs from the equilibrium composition of the thermodynamic stable bulk phase.3

New three-ring ester/azomethine homologues series, (E)-4-((4-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)phenyl 4-(alkoxy)benzoate In, were prepared and their properties were investigated experimentally and theoretically. FT-IR, NMR, and elemental analyses were used to confirm the chemical structures of the synthesized compounds. The mesomorphic activities of the planned homologues were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy. All of the homologous examined were found to have non-mesomorphic properties. Theoretical calculations using the density functional theory (DFT) were used to validate the experimental data and determine the most stable conformation of the synthesized compounds. All calculated conformers’ thermal properties, dipole moments, and polarizability were discussed. The results show that the terminal alkoxy chain length affects the thermal parameters of the conformers. The correlations between these parameters’ values and the conformer type were demonstrated. The base component was expected to be in two conformers according to the orientation of the N atom of imine-linkage. DFT calculations revealed the more probable of the two possible conformers, and the incorporation of the alkoxy terminal chain in one position affect its geometrical and mesomerphic characteristics.

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New laterally CH3-substituted series of 1:2 hydrogen-bonded supramolecular complexes (HBSMCs) based on flexible acid core were prepared and mesomorphically investigated. Mixtures were formed through H-bonded interactions between adipic acid (A) and 4-(2-(pyridin-4-yl)diazenyl-(3-methylphenyl) 4-alkoxybenzoate (Bn). Mesomorphic and optical properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-spectroscopy. HBSMCs formed from 1:2 mol mixture of A:2Bn, where the base component (B) bearing different alkoxy chain lengths from n = 8 to 14. The new HBSMCs (A/2B) interactions were confirmed by Fermi-bands formation via FT-IR spectroscopy measurements. Results revealed that all prepared HBSMCs are enantiotropic, exhibiting induced nematic (N) phase. The XRD pattern confirmed the POM texture results. Moreover, a comparison was made between the new laterally HBSMC series based on flexible core and the previously analyzed laterally neat complexes.

In this study, a homologous series of novel liquid crystalline compounds bearing the bis-azomethine central linkage (–CH=N-N=CH–), namely ((1E,1′E)-hydrazine-1,2-diylidenebis(methanylylidene))bis(4,1-phenylene) dialkanoate (In), was synthesized, and the mesophase and thermal properties were investigated theoretically and experimentally. The molecular structures of the prepared compounds were determined using elemental analysis, NMR, and FT-IR spectroscopy. The mesophase transitions were detected by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the mesophases were identified using polarized optical microscopy (POM). The results indicated that the derivative with the shortest length (I5) was purely nematogenic, while the other homologues (I9 and I15) possessed SmC mesophases. The optimal geometrical structures of the investigated group were derived theoretically. The estimated results demonstrated that all homologues were mesomorphic, and their type depended on the length of the terminal chains. Computations based on density functional theory (DFT) were used to explain the experimental data. The calculated dipole moment, polarizability, thermal energy, and molecular electrostatic potential all showed that it was possible to predict the mesophase type and stability, which varied according to the size of the molecule.