ABSTRACT
The newly symmetrical liquid crystalline compounds (CPB1 -CPB4 ) based on calix[4]pyrrole as central rigid core are synthesized via esterification reaction. All the four functionalized compounds exhibit columnar hexagonal phase (Colh ) over a higher mesophase temperature range and further stabilized mesophase upto room temperature. The thermal behavior and optical texture are identified by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Polarizing optical microscopy (POM) while the molecular organization of compound in mesogenic state by X-ray diffraction technique. The molecular system based on calix[4]pyrrole core with symmetrical nature exhibited columnar type self-assembly at room temperature. All these four supramolecules with different side spacer show higher thermal stability. Based upon the optimization, compound CPB2 has been further tested to implicate as optical window layer in thin films solar cell devices. The calix[4]pyrrole functionalized supramolecular liquid crystalline compound based thin films showed suitable transmittance, optical energy band gap together with absorbance and extinction coefficient. The linear dependence of current on the voltage demonstrated Ohmic behavior of the CPB2 films. The surface morphology to the developed samples designated nearly uniform deposition of the CPB2 thin films together with grain growth. The findings warrant suitability of the films to implicate these as an eco-friendly optical window layer in thin films based solar cells.
ABSTRACT
Four new azo-based supramolecular materials containing thiacalixarene core substituted by variable alkoxy groups (TFA1 -TFA4 ) have been designed and synthesized for the mesomorphic and photoswitching properties. The liquid crystalline behavior were accomplished by using DSC, POM, and XRD studies. All azo-based thiacalixarene based materials with short and higher chain length display columnar hexagonal mesophase with broad temperature range. The thermal behavior of all the materials was investigated by DSC and TGA study. The structural and conformational study of the lower rim functionalized materials was confirmed by using different techniques. These thiacalixarene moulded liquid crystalline compounds shows columnar self-assembly type behavior and higher thermal stability. The introduction of bi-substituted azo-ester network towards the lower rim of thiacalixarene core has impact on the electron delocalization and liquid crystalline properties. The photoswitching properties suggested cis and trans azo-isomerization under radiation of UV light and higher thermal back relaxation time. The mesogenic behaviour of compound TFA2 and TFA4 were demolished by the influence of cis and trans isomerization. The structure-property correlation is studied to understand the variation in mesogenic properties with the substitution of variable alkoxy side chain.