High Resolution X-ray Diffraction Study of a Tubular Liquid Crystal

Complexes of discotic liquid crystals would ideally possess the conductive properties of semiconductors and metals as well as the highly anisotropic mechanical, optical and structural properties of liquid crystals. High-resolution X-ray diffraction is used by the authors to study the structure of a liquid-crystalline conjugated phenylacetylene macrocycle doped with a silver salt. The results show that the silver ions are intercalated within the tubes, providing the first step towards the development of novel anisotropic liquid-crystalline ionic conductors.