TY - CONF A1 - Yildirim, Arda A1 - Krause, Christina A1 - Zorn, R. A1 - Schönhals, Andreas T1 - Multiple glassy dynamics of a homologous series of triphenylene-based columnar liquid crystals – A study by broadband dielectric spectroscopy, advanced calorimetry and Neutron Scattering N2 - Hexakis(n-alkyloxy)triphenylene) (HATn) consisting of an aromatic triphenylene core and alkyl side chains are model discotic liquid crystal (DLC) systems forming a columnar mesophase. In the mesophase, the molecules of HATn self-assemble in columns, which has one-dimensional high charge carrier mobility along the columns. Here, a homologous series of HATn with different length of the alkyl chain (n=5,6,8,10,12) is investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and advanced calorimetric techniques including fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) and specific heat spectroscopy (SHS). The investigation of the phase behavior was done utilizing DSC experiments and the influence of the alkyl chain length on the phase behavior was revealed. By the dielectric investigations a γ-relaxation due to localized fluctuations as well as two glassy dynamics the αcore and αalkyl relaxation were observed in the temperature range of the plastic crystalline phase. Moreover, the observed glassy dynamics were further studied employing advanced calorimetry. All observed relaxation processes are attributed to the possible specific molecular fluctuations and discussed in detail. From the results a transition at around n=8 from a rigid constrained (n=5,6) to a softer system (n=10,12) on a molecular lenght scale was revealed with increasing alkyl chain length. A counterbalance of two competing effects of a polyethylene like behavior of the alkyl chains in the intercolumnar domains and self-organized confinement is discussed in the context of a hindered glass transition. The results were confirmed by in- and quasielastic neutron scattering T2 - Confit 2022 CY - Grenoble, France DA - 10.10.2022 KW - Glassy Dynamics KW - Discotic Liquid Crystals PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-56661 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schönhals, Andreas A1 - Yildirim, Arda A1 - Krause, Christina T1 - Multiple glassy dynamics of a homologous series of triphenylene-based columnar liquid crystals – A study by broadband dielectric spectroscopy, advanced calorimetry and Neutron Scattering N2 - Hexakis(n-alkyloxy)triphenylene) (HATn) consisting of an aromatic triphenylene core and alkyl side chains are model discotic liquid crystal (DLC) systems forming a columnar mesophase. In the mesophase, the molecules of HATn self-assemble in columns, which has one-dimensional high charge carrier mobility along the columns. Here, a homologous series of HATn with different length of the alkyl chain (n=5,6,8,10,12) is investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and advanced calorimetric techniques including fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) and specific heat spectroscopy (SHS). The investigation of the phase behavior was done utilizing DSC experiments and the influence of the alkyl chain length on the phase behavior was revealed. By the dielectric investigations probing the molecular mobility, a γ-relaxation due to localized fluctuations as well as two glassy dynamics the αcore and αalkyl relaxation were observed in the temperature range of the plastic crystalline phase. Moreover, the observed glassy dynamics were further studied employing advanced calorimetry. All observed relaxation processes are attributed to the possible specific molecular fluctuations and discussed in detail. From the results a transition at around n=8 from a rigid constrained (n=5,6) to a softer system (n=10,12) on a molecular lenght scale was revealed with increasing alkyl chain length. A counterbalance of two competing effects of a polyethylene like behavior of the alkyl chains in the intercolumnar domains and self-organized confinement is discussed in the context of a hindered glass transition. T2 - 11th Conferenz on Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy and its Applications CY - San Sebastian, Spain DA - 04.09.2022 KW - Discotic Liquid Crystals PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-55672 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Yildirim, Arda A1 - Krause, Christina A1 - Zorn, R. A1 - Lohstroh, W. A1 - Schneider, G. J. A1 - Zamponi, M. A1 - Holerer, O. A1 - Frick, B. A1 - Schönhals, Andreas T1 - Complex molecular dynamics of a symmetric model discotic liquid crystal revealed by broadband dielectric, thermal and neutron spectroscopy N2 - The molecular dynamics of the triphenylene-based discotic liquid crystal HAT6 is investigated by broadband dielectric spectroscopy, advanced dynamical calorimetry and neutron scattering. Differential scanning calorimetry in combination with X-ray scattering reveals that HAT6 has a plastic crystalline phase at low temperatures, a hexagonally ordered liquid crystalline phase at higher temperatures and undergoes a clearing transition at even higher temperatures. The dielectric spectra show several relaxation processes: a localized gamma-relaxation a lower temperature and a so called alpha-2-relaxation at higher temperatures. The relaxation rates of the alpha-2-relaxation have a complex temperature dependence and bear similarities to a dynamic glass transition. The relaxation rates estimated by hyper DSC, Fast Scanning calorimetry and AC Chip calorimetry have a different temperature dependence than the dielectric alpha-2-relaxation and follows the VFT-behavior characteristic for glassy dynamics. Therefore, this process is called alpha-1-relaxation. Its relaxation rates show a similarity with that of polyethylene. For this reason, the alpha-1-relaxation is assigned to the dynamic glass transition of the alkyl chains in the intercolumnar space. Moreover, this process is not observed by dielectric spectroscopy which supports its assignment. The alpha-2-relaxation was assigned to small scale translatorial and/or small angle fluctuations of the cores. The neutron scattering data reveal two relaxation processes. The process observed at shorter relaxation times is assigned to the methyl group rotation. The second relaxation process at longer time scales agree in the temperature dependence of its relaxation rates with that of the dielectric gamma-relaxation. KW - Discotic Liquid Crystals PY - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1039/c9sm02487e VL - 16 IS - 8 SP - 2005 EP - 2016 PB - Royal Chemical Society AN - OPUS4-50466 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sentker, K. A1 - Yildirim, Arda A1 - Lippmann, M. A1 - Zantop, A. W. A1 - Bertram, F. A1 - Hofmann, T. A1 - Seeck, O. H. A1 - Kityk, A. A1 - Mazza, M. G. A1 - Schönhals, Andreas A1 - Huber, P. T1 - Self-assembly of liquid crystals in nanoporous solids for adaptive photonic metamaterials N2 - Nanoporous media exhibit structures significantly smaller than the wavelengths of visible light and can thus act as photonic metamaterials. Their optical functionality is not determined by the properties of the base materials, but rather by tailored, multiscale structures, in terms of precise pore shape, geometry, and orientation. Embedding liquid crystals in pore space provides additional opportunities to control light–matter interactions at the single-pore, meta-atomic scale. Here, we present temperature-dependent 3D reciprocal space mapping using synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction in combination with high-Resolution birefringence experiments on disk-like mesogens (HAT6) imbibed in self-ordered arrays of parallel cylindrical pores 17 to 160 nm across in monolithic anodic aluminium oxide (AAO). In agreement with Monte Carlo computer simulations we observe a remarkably rich self-assembly behaviour, unknown from the bulk state. It encompasses transitions between the isotropic liquid state and discotic stacking in linear columns as well as circular concentric ring formation perpendicular and parallel to the pore axis. These textural transitions underpin an optical birefringence functionality, tuneable in magnitude and in sign from positive to negative via pore size, pore surface-grafting and temperature. Our study demonstrates that the advent of large-scale, self-organised nanoporosity in monolithic solids along with confinement-controllable phase behaviour of liquid-crystalline matter at the single-pore scale provides a reliable and accessible tool to design materials with adjustable optical anisotropy, and thus offers versatile pathways to finetune polarisation-dependent light propagation speeds in materials. Such a tailorability is at the core of the emerging field of transformative optics, allowing, e.g., adjustable light absorbers and extremely thin metalenses. KW - Discotic Liquid Crystals PY - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-499601 SP - 1 EP - 14 PB - RSC Royal Society of Chemistry AN - OPUS4-49960 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schönhals, Andreas A1 - Yildirim, Arda T1 - Combining Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy with advanced calorimetry to reveal the multiple glass transitions in discotic liquid crystals N2 - Broadband dielectric spectroscopy and advanced calorimetry were combined to investigate the molecular dynamics of discotic liquid crystals T2 - Flash DSC Conference CY - Zurich, Switzerland DA - 24.11.2019 KW - Discotic Liquid Crystals PY - 2019 AN - OPUS4-49879 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schönhals, Andreas A1 - Yildirim, Arda T1 - Multiple glass transitions in dipole functionalized discotic liquid crystals N2 - A selected series of dipole functionalized triphenylene-based discotic liquid crystals (DLCs) was synthesized and investigated in a systematic way to reveal the phase behavior and molecular dynamics. The later point is of particular importance to understand the charge transport in such systems which is the key property for their applications such as organic field effect transistors, solar cells or as nanowires in molecular electronics, and also to tune the properties of DLCs. The mesomorphic properties were studied by polarizing optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry, which were compared to the corresponding unfunctionalized DLC. The molecular dynamics were investigated by a combination of state-of-the-art broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and advanced calorimetry such as fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) and specific heat spectroscopy (SHS). Besides localized fluctuations, surprisingly multiple glassy dynamics were detected for all materials for the first time. Glassy dynamics were proven for both processes unambiguously due to the extraordinary broad frequency range covered. The α1-process is attributed to fluctuations of the alky chains in the intercolumnar space because a polyethylene-like glassy dynamics is observed. This corresponds to a glass transition in a confined three-dimensional space. The α2-process found at temperatures lower than α1-process, is assigned to the fluctuation of translational in plane movements of the triphenylene core inside distorted columns. This can be considered as a glass transition of a one-dimensional fluid. Therefore, obtained results are of general importance to understand the glass transition, which is an unsolved problem of condensed matter science. T2 - Workshop on dynamics in dissordered materials CY - Dortmund, Germany DA - 25.08.2019 KW - Discotic Liquid Crystals PY - 2019 AN - OPUS4-48778 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Yildirim, Arda A1 - Bühlmeyer, A. A1 - Hayash, S A1 - Haenle, J. C. A1 - Sentker, K. A1 - Krause, Christina A1 - Huber, Patrick A1 - Laschat, Sabine A1 - Schönhals, Andreas T1 - Multiple glassy dynamics in dipole functionalized triphenylene-based discotic liquid crystals revealed by broadband dielectric spectroscopy and advanced calorimetry – assessment of the molecular origin N2 - A selected series of dipole functionalized triphenylene-based discotic liquid crystals (DLCs) was synthesized and investigated in a systematic way to reveal the phase behavior and molecular dynamics. The later point is of particular importance to understand the charge transport in such systems which is the key property for their applications such as organic field-effect transistors, solar cells or as nanowires in molecular electronics, and also to tune the properties of DLCs. The mesomorphic properties were studied by polarizing optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry, which were compared to the corresponding unfunctionalized DLC. The molecular dynamics were investigated by a combination of state-of-the-art broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and advanced calorimetry such as fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) and specific heat spectroscopy (SHS). Besides localized fluctuations, surprisingly multiple glassy dynamics were detected for all materials for the first time. Glassy dynamics were proven for both processes unambiguously due to the extraordinary broad frequency range covered. The a1-process is attributed to fluctuations of the alky chains in the intercolumnar space because a polyethylene-like glassy dynamics is observed. This corresponds to a glass transition in a confined three-dimensional space. The a2-process found at temperatures lower than a1-process, is assigned to small scale rotational and/or translational in plane fluctuations of the triphenylene core inside distorted columns. This can be considered as a glass transition in a one-dimensional fluid. Therefore, obtained results are of general importance to understand the glass transition, which is an unsolved problem of condensed matter science. KW - Discotic Liquid Crystals KW - Broadband dielectric spectroscopy KW - Flash DSC KW - Specific heat spectroscopy PY - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1039/c9cp03499d SN - 1463-9076 VL - 21 IS - 33 SP - 18265 EP - 18277 PB - RSC AN - OPUS4-48739 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Yildirim, Arda A1 - Sentker, K. A1 - Smales, Glen Jacob A1 - Pauw, Brian Richard A1 - Huber, P. A1 - Schönhals, Andreas T1 - Collective orientational order and phase behavior of a discotic liquid crystal under nanoscale confinement N2 - The phase behavior and molecular ordering of hexakishexyloxy triphenylene (HAT6) DLC under cylindrical nanoconfinement is studied utilizing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dielectric spectroscopy (DS), where cylindrical nanoconfinement is established through embedding HAT6 into the nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide membranes (AAO), and a silica membrane with pore diameters ranging from 161 nm down to 12 nm. Both unmodified and modified pore walls were considered, and in the latter case the pore walls of AAO membranes were chemical treated with n octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA) resulting in the formation of a 2.2 nm thick layer of grafted alkyl chains. Phase transition enthalpies decrease with decreasing pore size, indicating that a large proportion of the HAT6 molecules within the pores has a disordered structure, which increases with decreasing pore size for both pore walls. In the case of the ODPA modification the amount of ordered HAT6 is increased compared to the unmodified case. The pore size dependencies of the phase transition temperatures were approximated using the Gibbs Thomson equation, where the estimated surface tension is dependent on the molecular ordering of HAT6 molecules within the pores and upon their surface. DS was employed to investigate the molecular ordering of HAT6 within the nanopores. These investigations revealed that with a pore size of around 38 nm, for the samples with the unmodified pore walls, the molecular ordering changes from planar axial to homeotropic radial. However, the planar axial configuration, which is suitable for electronic applications, can be successfully preserved through ODPA modification for most of the pore sizes. KW - Discotic Liquid Crystals KW - Nanoconfinement PY - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-475222 SN - 2516-0230 VL - 1 IS - 3 SP - 1104 EP - 1116 PB - RSC AN - OPUS4-47522 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Yildirim, Arda A1 - Sentker, K. A1 - Huber, P. A1 - Schönhals, Andreas T1 - Collective Orientational Order and Phase Behavior of a Discotic Liquid Crystal under Confinement N2 - Discotic liquid crystals (DLCs) are a promising class of soft matter for electronic applications. This is due to their ability to self-organize into columns in a hexagonal columnar mesophase, driven by the overlapping of the π orbitals of their aromatic cores. This leads to a high charge-carrier mobility along the column axis. Previous studies on DLCs showed that their properties, such as phase transition temperatures and enthalpies, are susceptible to nanoconfinement. In this study, 2,3,6,7,10,11 hexakis[hexyloxy] triphenylene (HAT6) was confined into parallel aligned cylindrical nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes by melt infiltration. Furthermore, the pore surfaces of a series of membranes were chemically modified, resulting in a more hydrophobic pore surface than the unmodified ones. Collective orientational order and phase behavior of HAT6 confined into modified and unmodified nanopores of AAO were investigated by broadband dielectric spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry respectively. T2 - Spring Meeting of German Physical Society CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 12.03.2018 KW - Discotic Liquid Crystals PY - 2018 AN - OPUS4-44506 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Sentker, K. A1 - Yildirim, Arda A1 - Zantop, A. A1 - Lippmann, M. A1 - Hofmann, T. A1 - Seeck, O. A1 - Kityck, A. A1 - Mazza, M. A1 - Schönhals, Andreas A1 - Huber, P. T1 - Characterization of the thermotropic phase behavior and microscopic structure of a confined discotic liquid crystal N2 - Discotic liquid crystals (DLC) filled into cylindrical nanopores exhibit a liquid crystalline phase with their molecules arranged in hexagonal columns. The columns orient perpendicular (radially) or parallel (axially) with respect to the pore axis depending on surface anchoring conditions and pore size. Axially oriented columns enable the fabrication of organic nanowires utilizing the high conductivity in the stacking direction due to overlapping π-electrons. This leads to interesting applications in e.g. organic semiconductorbased devices. The molecular ordering of the liquid crystalline columns can be probed by temperature dependent optical retardation measurements supplemented by X-ray diffraction sensitive to the translational order. We investigated the DLC 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11 - hexakis [hexyloxy] triphenylene (HAT6) embedded in nanoporous alumina and silica membranes as function of the pore diameter (12 nm - 180 nm). Due to their hydrophilic nature porous membranes enforce face-on anchoring leading to a radial orientation. To obtain edge-on anchoring conditions, and thus favoring axial orientation, the silica membrane surface is chemically modified. The optical retardation measurements show that the columns orient radially in these membranes independent of the anchoring conditions. Interestingly, a quantized phase transition of each molecular layer is found indicated by a distinct increase of the optical orientation. Additionally, an axial orientation of HAT6 filled into alumina membranes with a pore diameter of 25 nm is achieved. A Landau-de Gennes ansatz semi-quantitatively describes the phase transition behavior observed. X-ray diffraction experiments performed at the 3rd generation synchrotron radiation source PETRA III at DESY giving detailed information about the translational order support these findings. Summarizing, this study shows the existence of a phase transition in the molecular range as well as the suitability of the membrane with 25 nm pores as a template for preparing organic nanowires. T2 - Liquids 2017 – 10th Liquid Matter Conference CY - Ljubljana, Slovenia DA - 17.07.2017 KW - Discotic Liquid Crystals PY - 2017 AN - OPUS4-41180 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -