Polar-Twisted, Nano-Modulated Nematics: Form Chirality and Physical Properties

Recently, two new polymorphs have been added to the nematic class: the polar-twisted nematic (N<sub>PT</sub>) in 2016 and the ferroelectric nematic (N<sub>F</sub>) in 2020. Comprised of achiral molecules, both exhibit local polar ordering and adopt modulated structures, right...

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Main Authors: Alexandros G. Vanakaras, Edward T. Samulski, Demetri J. Photinos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Liquids
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8015/4/4/43
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author Alexandros G. Vanakaras
Edward T. Samulski
Demetri J. Photinos
author_facet Alexandros G. Vanakaras
Edward T. Samulski
Demetri J. Photinos
author_sort Alexandros G. Vanakaras
collection DOAJ
description Recently, two new polymorphs have been added to the nematic class: the polar-twisted nematic (N<sub>PT</sub>) in 2016 and the ferroelectric nematic (N<sub>F</sub>) in 2020. Comprised of achiral molecules, both exhibit local polar ordering and adopt modulated structures, right- and left-handed helical organizations—form chirality—albeit on vastly different dimensional scales; modulations have a ~10 nanometer pitch in the N<sub>PT</sub> and ~500 nm in the N<sub>F</sub>. Here, we focus on the structure and symmetries of the N<sub>PT</sub> phase and the ensuing physical properties. Based on an array of order parameters that fully describe the molecular ordering and the nano-modulations thereof, we present a consistent formulation of the dielectric, optical, surface anchoring, and elasticity properties of the N<sub>PT</sub> materials. We show that these properties are distinctly different from those associated with an elastically modulated, locally uniaxial, nematic.
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spelling doaj-art-9c799aa5a3354732a4fb1e4d0347a3b72024-12-27T14:36:27ZengMDPI AGLiquids2673-80152024-11-014476878110.3390/liquids4040043Polar-Twisted, Nano-Modulated Nematics: Form Chirality and Physical PropertiesAlexandros G. Vanakaras0Edward T. Samulski1Demetri J. Photinos2Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, GreeceDepartment of Chemistry and Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USADepartment of Materials Science, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, GreeceRecently, two new polymorphs have been added to the nematic class: the polar-twisted nematic (N<sub>PT</sub>) in 2016 and the ferroelectric nematic (N<sub>F</sub>) in 2020. Comprised of achiral molecules, both exhibit local polar ordering and adopt modulated structures, right- and left-handed helical organizations—form chirality—albeit on vastly different dimensional scales; modulations have a ~10 nanometer pitch in the N<sub>PT</sub> and ~500 nm in the N<sub>F</sub>. Here, we focus on the structure and symmetries of the N<sub>PT</sub> phase and the ensuing physical properties. Based on an array of order parameters that fully describe the molecular ordering and the nano-modulations thereof, we present a consistent formulation of the dielectric, optical, surface anchoring, and elasticity properties of the N<sub>PT</sub> materials. We show that these properties are distinctly different from those associated with an elastically modulated, locally uniaxial, nematic.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8015/4/4/43polar-twisted nematicsform chiralityferroelectric nematicsnano-modulated nematcsdielectric propertiesoptical properties
spellingShingle Alexandros G. Vanakaras
Edward T. Samulski
Demetri J. Photinos
Polar-Twisted, Nano-Modulated Nematics: Form Chirality and Physical Properties
Liquids
polar-twisted nematics
form chirality
ferroelectric nematics
nano-modulated nematcs
dielectric properties
optical properties
title Polar-Twisted, Nano-Modulated Nematics: Form Chirality and Physical Properties
title_full Polar-Twisted, Nano-Modulated Nematics: Form Chirality and Physical Properties
title_fullStr Polar-Twisted, Nano-Modulated Nematics: Form Chirality and Physical Properties
title_full_unstemmed Polar-Twisted, Nano-Modulated Nematics: Form Chirality and Physical Properties
title_short Polar-Twisted, Nano-Modulated Nematics: Form Chirality and Physical Properties
title_sort polar twisted nano modulated nematics form chirality and physical properties
topic polar-twisted nematics
form chirality
ferroelectric nematics
nano-modulated nematcs
dielectric properties
optical properties
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8015/4/4/43
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AT edwardtsamulski polartwistednanomodulatednematicsformchiralityandphysicalproperties
AT demetrijphotinos polartwistednanomodulatednematicsformchiralityandphysicalproperties