Self-Assembly and Formation of Chromonic Liquid Crystals from the Dyes Quinaldine Red Acetate and Pyronin Y

The aqueous self-assembly behavior of the dyes Quinaldine red acetate and Pyronin Y in a wide range of concentrations is reported here for the first time. 1H NMR spectroscopy, polarized-light optical microscopy, and small and wide X-ray scattering were used to get insight into molecular interactions, phase boundaries and aggregate structure. Quinaldine red acetate and Pyronin Y self-organize into unimolecular stacks driven by attractive aromatic interactions. At high concentrations, spatial correlation among the molecular stacks gives rise to nematic liquid crystals in both systems. Quinaldine red acetate additionally produces a rare chromonic O phase built of columnar aggregates with anisotropic cross-section ordered in a rectangular lattice. The O phase changes into a columnar lamellar structure as a result of a temperature-induced phase transition. Results open the possibility of finding chromonic liquid crystals in other commercially available dyes with a similar molecular structure. This would eventually expand the availability of these unique soft materials and thus introduce new applications for marketed dyes.

Homs, Maria (author)
Solans, Conxita (author)
Obiols-Rabasa, MarcLund University,Lunds universitet,Fysikalisk kemi,Enheten för fysikalisk och teoretisk kemi,Kemiska institutionen,Institutioner vid LTH,Lunds Tekniska Högskola,Physical Chemistry,Physical and theoretical chemistry,Department of Chemistry,Departments at LTH,Faculty of Engineering, LTH(Swepub:lu)fkem-mob (author)
Salonen, Laura Maria (author)
Rodríguez-Abreu, Carlos (author)
Fysikalisk kemiEnheten för fysikalisk och teoretisk kemi (creator_code:org_t)

In:The Journal of Physical Chemistry Part B: American Chemical Society (ACS)120:1, s. 250-2581520-52071520-6106

By the author/editor: Magana, José Rod ...; Homs, Maria; Solans, Conxita; Obiols-Rabasa, M ...; Salonen, Laura M ...; Rodríguez-Abreu, ...

About the subject

NATURAL SCIENCES: NATURAL SCIENCES; and Chemical Science ...; and Physical Chemist ...

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