Intrinsically Chiral Twist-Bend Nematogens: Interplay of Molecular and Structural Chirality in the NTB Phase.

ABSTRACT

Non-symmetric lactate-based chiral liquid crystal dimers containing an odd-membered spacer are shown to exhibit a chiral twist-bend nematic phase which is stable on cooling to room temperature. A comparison of racemic and optically pure materials reveals that the pitch length in the N*TB phase is not influenced by molecular chirality, whereas the nematic-twist-bend nematic transition temperature is increased.