The influence of terminal chain on the formation of chiral nematic phase of non-symmetric liquid crystal dimers containing fluorinated units

Abstract

Abstract In this study, we have synthesized four fluorine liquid crystals (LCs), termed FA-PD-UBA, FA-PD-PBA, FA-PD-ABA and FA-PD-BA. Through the research on thermal properties and mesophase type of the dimers, we can draw a conclusion that the non-symmetric structure type with flexible terminal chain of appropriate length, may help the dimers to form cholesteric fluorinated liquid crystals.