Adjustability and Versatility of Molecular Packing Patterns in Asymmetric Coumarin Liquid Crystals Supramolecular Helical Column Structures

Coumarin asymmetric multi-chain liquid crystals (LCs) were synthesized using click reaction, with coumarin core and 1,2,3-triazole dendritic wings on both sides. The properties of these LCs and the resulting gels were investigated using polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These polycatenars demonstrate the ability to self-assemble into columnar LCs phases, exhibiting p4 mm symmetry in their bulk states. In DMF solvent, ether compounds yield gels with notably more ordered, spherical flower-like morphologies, while ester compounds produce gels that are less ordered and exhibit a nanosphere morphology. The findings indicate that the polarities of both the linkages and the solvents play a critical role in the formation of supramolecular nanostructures. Interestingly, the 2 was proved as promising imaging probe for latent fingerprints (LFPs) and fluorescent fingerprints images were obtained with high-resolution, which showed potential practical application for LFPs detection. Additionally, LCs compounds are used as dopants to modify the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene (PEDOT:PSS) injection layer of Organic silicone-based heterojunction solar cells (HSCs). Finally, Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed to theoretically study such as geometric structure, frontier molecular orbitals, molecular electrostatic potential, and dipole moment.