Systematic investigation on unsymmetrical mesogenic cyanobiphenyl dimers towards optical storage devices: synthesis, mesomorphic, photo switching and DFT studies†

This research presents the synthesis and analysis of a novel series of mesogenic dimers comprising cyanobiphenyl and azonaphthyl units. Structural validation was performed using FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, etc. The dimers’ thermotropic behaviours were studied through POM and DSC, revealing enantiotropic nematic phases in all cases, with some also showing monotropic smectic C phases. The study explores the relationship between the chemical structure of the dimers and the length of the flexible spacer, the odd–even effect, and their phase transition temperatures. Longer chains tended to form smectic phases, while shorter chains primarily exhibited nematic phases. Computational analysis using B3LYP/6-31g(d,p) and evaluations of electrostatic potential (ESP) and optical properties provided further insight into the electronic structures. Photoisomerization studies demonstrated consistent photochromic responses, with all dimers showing high conversion efficiency (88–95%) under UV light along with similar back relaxation times (∼10–12 hours). Optical storage devices prepared by these materials showed excellent contrast between dark and bright states elucidating the importance of such materials for the future.