Intrinsically Chiral Twist-Bend Nematogens: Interplay of Molecular and Structural Chirality in the NTB Phase

Non-symmetric lactate-based chiral liquid crystal dimers containing an odd-membered spacer are shown to exhibit a chiral twist-bend nematic phase which is stable on cooling to room temperature. A comparison of racemic and optically pure materials reveals that the pitch length in the N*(TB) phase is not influenced by molecular chirality, whereas the nematic-twist-bend nematic transition temperature is increased.

Automated summary

Non-symmetric lactate-based chiral liquid crystal dimers with an odd-membered spacer display a stable chiral twist-bend nematic phase at room temperature. The molecular chirality does not affect the pitch length in the N*(TB) phase, but it increases the transition temperature from nematic to twist-bend nematic.