Nano-clustering mediates phase transitions in a diastereomerically-stabilized ferroelectric nematic system

Ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals are interesting due to their combined high polarizability, electro-optic activity, and fluidity. Here, the authors tune the ferroelectric nematic phase transition by mixing diastereomer molecules, investigating the role of clusters in the stabilization of the ferroelectric nematic phase. In recent years, ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals have attracted considerable attention owing to their unique properties such as a colossal polarization, high electro-optic activity, and high fluidity. However, despite large efforts in designing and developing new ferrofluid molecules based on molecular parameters, the control and stabilization of ferroelectric nematic phase transitions remain challenging. Here, we discuss the impact of mixing 1,3-dioxane-tethered fluorinated (DIO) diastereomer molecules, namely (DIO)-D-trans and (DIO)-D-cis, in controlling the ferroelectric nematic phase transition, using X-ray diffraction to investigate the effect of smectic cybotactic cluster formation. Our results show that the ferroelectric nematic phase transition can be tuned by a smooth exchange of the ferroelectric nematic (DIO)-D-trans and non-liquid crystal (DIO)-D-cis components, where the similar dipole and molecular backbone of the two components ensures a consistent macroscopic polarization of the diastereomeric-controlled ferroelectric nematic phase.

Automated summary

Ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals have unique properties such as high polarization, electro-optic activity, and fluidity. The authors investigate the role of clusters in stabilizing the ferroelectric nematic phase transition by mixing diastereomer molecules. They find that a smooth exchange of the components can tune the ferroelectric nematic phase transition.