Abstract
Blue phases (BPs), a unique manifestation of chirality in the liquid crystalline state,
have gained considerable attention due to the unusual combination of properties such
as sub-millisecond response times to electrical fields and Bragg reflection of circularly
polarised light. Initially they were regarded as promising materials for the development
of the next-level display technologies. However, in recent years, they have gained
increasing attention as responsive photonic materials with sensing or optoelectronics
properties (photonic mirrors and filters). A major limitation so far has been their
narrow temperature range in which they usually exist. The aim of the present review
is to summarise the recent efforts made to stabilise BPs by employing specific non-covalent
bonds and the principles of supramolecular chemistry.
1 Introduction
2 Stabilisation of Blue Phases by Supramolecular Methods
2.1 Doping Approach
2.2 Design Approach
3 Conclusions and Outlook
Key words
liquid crystals - blue phases - supramolecular materials - hydrogen bonds - chirality
- photonic crystals
