Aquatic Functional Liquid Crystals: Design, Functionalization, and Molecular Simulation

Abstract

Aquatic functional liquid crystals, which are ordered molecular assemblies that work in water environment, are described in this review. Aquatic functional liquid crystals are liquid‐crystalline (LC) materials interacting water molecules or aquatic environment. They include aquatic lyotropic liquid crystals and LC based materials that have aquatic interfaces, for example, nanoporous water treatment membranes that are solids preserving LC order. They can remove ions and viruses with nano‐ and subnano‐porous structures. Columnar, smectic, bicontinuous LC structures are used for fabrication of these 1D, 2D, 3D materials. Design and functionalization of aquatic LC sensors based on aqueous/LC interfaces are also described. The ordering transitions of liquid crystals induced by molecular recognition at the aqueous interfaces provide distinct optical responses. Molecular orientation and dynamic behavior of these aquatic functional LC materials are studied by molecular dynamics simulations. The molecular interactions of LC materials and water are key of these investigations. New insights into aquatic functional LC materials contribute to the fields of environment, healthcare, and biotechnology.

Fixation of Polar Assembly of Columnar Liquid Crystals with a Phosphine Oxide Group

“…Fixation of ordered molecular assemblies such as liquid crystals and polymeric materials has attracted much attention because it facilitates fabrication of functional materials with thermal, electrical, and mechanical stability. − In particular, in situ polymerization of functional liquid-crystalline (LC) monomers has been shown to be a versatile method for developing ordered polymer materials. − For example, photopolymerization of LC monomers consisting of polar and nonpolar moieties provides self-organized water-treatment membranes − and energy-related materials. − Moreover, cross-linking of discotic liquid crystals in aligned LC states has led to the development of optical compensation films for liquid crystal displays. , …”