Development of of electro-functional materials and devices based on supramolecular polymers

2020 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20F20035
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: 相田 卓三 東京大学, 大学院工学系研究科(工学部), 教授 (00167769)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): CHAMPAGNE PIER-LUC 東京大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 外国人特別研究員
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-24 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: Ferroelectricity / Columnar liquid crystal / Electric field response

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

In order to develop a new type of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) having columnar LC geometries, by using the technology of disk-rod hybrid columnar assembly realized by supramolecular polymerization in LC media, which is developed in Aida group, I started to synthesize an appropriate monomer. The synthesis of the monomer involves the incorporation of a bent-core molecular motif as a side chain of the core part of the monomer. In the core part, a hydrogen-bonding motif was employed. So far, I have successfully synthesized the side chain parts and the core parts. After coupling these units, the monomer for supramolecular polymerization is completed.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

For synthesizing the monomer, a multi-step synthesis of more than 10 steps are needed, and was expected to spend the first year for that.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

In the next year, I will finish the final step for the monomer synthesis and investigate the LC behavior upon mixing various rod-shaped LC molecules. The characterization method includes X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy. Then, I will move on to the electrical response of the material. In this case, E-field response of both columnar orientation and polarization will be investigated. Finally, I will carry out the feasibility study of the material for ferroelectric devices.