Azobenzene Compounds(AC) have attracted more and more attention due to their unique photoisomerization properties. Trans-structure with rodlike shape could be changed into cis-structure with bent shape under irradiating with ultraviolet light of 360nm and reverse transfer from cis to trans isomer can occur thermally or photochemically under visible light. These geometrical change could yield a concomitant change in chemical and physical properties in the environment around them. For example, when mixture of Azeobenzene with Cholesteric Liquid Crystal(CLC, composed of Nematic Liquid Crystal(NLC) and chiral molecule), the trans-structure of Azobenzene compound stabilize the phase structures of CLCs while cis-structure tends to destabilize the phase structure of the mixture due to its bent shape. Therefore, controlling of the orientation of liquid crystal molecules could be achieved by Azobenzene photoisomerization in this way.In this paper, a new kind of functional Azobenzene Compound with chiral moieties has been synthesized. IR and 1H-NMR has confirmed the presence of mesomorphic phase. It shows trans-cis photoisomerization under UV irradiation. The synthesized chiral azobenzene was doped into SLC1717. Under UV irradiation, trans isomers of chiral azobenzene change to cis, which disrupt LC molecules alignment resulting in the appearance of planar and fingerprint texture of CLCs. Chiral AC could act as good candidate for various optical materials such as optical shutter, optical display, photo-controllable coatings and so on.

Cholesteric liquid crystal doped with a new chiral azobenzene

248th National Meeting (2014)

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