Interdisciplinary Chemistry Based on Integration of Liquid Crystals and Conjugated Polymers: Development and Progress

The helical structures and optoelectronic functions of conjugated polymers were dynamically controlled using an external force-responsive liquid crystal field, leading to cultivation and development of a novel research field named “Interdisciplinary Chemistry Based on Integration of Liquid Crystals and Conjugated Polymers”. First the external stimuli-responsive liquid crystal field was prepared to construct super-hierarchical helical structures of the conjugated polymers. Subsequently, the chiroptical properties including circularly polarized luminescence were enhanced and controlled. Furthermore, the helical carbons and graphites films were prepared via morphology-retaining carbonization using chemically or electrochemically doped conjugated polymers as precursors.