Lowering the Temperature Range of a Ferroelectric Columnar Liquid Crystal Phase Caused by Introducing Intermolecular Dipole-dipole Repulsion of Ester Linkers

Abstract

Axially polar-ferroelectric columnar liquid crystals (FCLC), which can respond to an external electric field and maintain the change, have been expected to be applied to ultrahigh-density memory devices. However, in practical use, achieving an FCLC at room temperature (RT-FCLC) is desired. In this study, to exhibit RT-FCLCs, we designed a new molecule possessing two ester linkers at the outer part of its core moiety. It was expected that intermolecular dipole-dipole repulsion between the ester linkers allows the generation of LC phases, lowers the LC temperature range, and makes the electro-response easier. In conclusion, introducing the two ester moieties suppressed the molecules from packing tightly, and the compound achieved RT-FCLC.