Liquid Crystal Dimers

This book covers in-depth discussion of design principles, synthesis and thermal behavior of all types of liquid crystal (LC) dimers. The text presents recent advances in the field of LC dimers consisting of different mesogenic units such as calamitic, discotic and bent-core molecules. It starts with a chapter on the introduction of liquid crystal dimers, including their odd-even behavior, basic classification of dimers and common mesophases in dimers. The text shows how the molecular architectures are being used to develop new materials to study a range of interesting phenomena such as the biaxial nematic phase containing rod-like and disc-like mesogenic units. Finally, the text presents perspectives related to technological relevance of these dimers such as dopants in LC display mixtures exhibiting faster relaxation time, strong flexoelectric coupling and others to effect control over the properties of these materials.

Sandeep Kumar is currently working as Professor of the Soft Condensed Matter Group at the Raman Research Institute, India. He was a visiting Professor at the Trinity College, Dublin (2012–13), the National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan (2008–09) and the National Research Laboratory, Washington, DC. (1999–2000). He has published more than 190 research papers in national and international journals. His areas of research include design, synthesis and applications of various liquid crystalline and nanomaterials.

Santanu Kumar Pal is currently Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, India. He obtained his Ph.D. from Raman Research Institute, India and has published several papers in journals of national and international repute. His primary areas of research include design, synthesis and characterization of soft materials, liquid crystal based biosensors and nanoparticles in liquid crystals.