Development of Three-Dimensional Ion Channels Formed by the Liquid-Crystalline Ammonium Salts

Abstract

We have designed and synthesized fan-shaped ammonium salts. Self-assembly of these molecules through nanosegregation and ionic interaction leads to the induction of liquid-crystalline (LC) bicontinuous cubic phase forming continuous ionic channels. The ion-conductive behavior of these samples reveals that these ionic LC having interconnected ion-channels function as efficient ion transporting materials.