Complex molecular dynamics of symmetric model discotic liquid crystals: comparison of hexakis(hepta-alkanoyloxy)triphenylene (HOT6) with hexakis(hexa-alkyloxy)triphenylene (HAT6)

Soft Matter 2026 Open access

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Authors: Christina Krause, SZYMONIAK Paulina Elzbieta, Wiebke Lohstroh, Fanni Jurànyi, Michaela Zamponi, Bernhard Frick, Dominik Al‐Sabbagh, Franziska Emmerling, Reiner Zorn, Andreas Schönhals
DOI: 10.1039/d5sm01247c
Cited by: 0
References: 78

Abstract

-relaxation found by dielectric spectroscopy which are assigned to the glassy dynamics of the alkyl side chain in the intercolumnar space and that of the columns, respectively. The study reveals that the ester group in HOT6 leads to increased molecular rigidity and altered packing in the intercolumnar space, as evidenced by X-ray scattering and the vibrational density of states. Neutron scattering confirms localized methyl group rotations and a further relaxation process which relates to the γ-relaxation revealed by dielectric spectroscopy. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of glassy dynamics in partially ordered systems and highlight the influence of molecular architecture on relaxation behavior in DLCs.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Liquid Crystal Research Advancements Material Dynamics and Properties Surfactants and Colloidal Systems

Publication details

Journal / source
Soft Matter
Volume
22
Issue
8
Pages
1863–1879
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN