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arXiv · 2607.25087

The effect of side chain length on the mesomorphic properties of ferroelectric nematogens

Natalia Podoliak·Martin Cigl·Pavlo Golub·Anej Sterle·Marta Lavrič·Nerea Sebastian·Aitor Erkoreka·Josu Martinez-Perdiguero·Alenka Mertelj·George Cordoyiannis·Vladimíra Novotná
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Abstract

The discovery of ferroelectric nematic phase opened new directions in the field of soft matter chemistry and physics. In this paper, we have modified a previously reported ferroelectric nematogen based on molecular structure with dimethylamino-terminated part. We have prepared two new homologues by prolonging a side chain and investigated the effect of its length on the mesomorphic properties. While previously reported homologues exhibited a direct phase transition from the isotropic (Iso) to the ferroelectric nematic phase (NF), for prolonged alkyl chain there is a narrow nematic phase (N) in between. For new compounds, we have established their mesomorphic and material properties. We have confirmed ferroelectricity of the NF phase by the polarization, SHG signal and permittivity. Finally, we have compared these parameters with respect to the side-chain length and discussed new effects, discovered for prolonged homologues due to the presence of an additional N phase.

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Natalia Podoliak, Martin Cigl, Pavlo Golub, Anej Sterle, Marta Lavrič, Nerea Sebastian, Aitor Erkoreka, Josu Martinez-Perdiguero, Alenka Mertelj, George Cordoyiannis, Vladimíra Novotná. 2026-07-27. The effect of side chain length on the mesomorphic properties of ferroelectric nematogens. https://arxiv.org/abs/2607.25087

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