Tuning the photonic properties of chiral nematic mesoporous organosilica with hydrogen-bonded liquid-crystalline assemblies

A series of novel hydrogen-bonded assemblies was synthesized and characterized with respect to their liquid-crystalline behaviour. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy gave insight into the columnar nematic mesophase and the corresponding ordering and alignment. Infiltrating the pores of chiral nematic mesoporous organosilica films with the liquid-crystalline compounds gives composite samples that undergo reversible phase changes with temperature, leading to tuneable photonic properties. The unique combination of liquid crystallinity arising from supramolecular interactions (hydrogen bonding) and chiral nematic organisation in a solid-state host is a promising new concept for developing optical sensors.