An unusual characteristic of the nematic schlieren textures in hydrogen bond thermotropic liquid crystals

A novel series of hydrogen bond thermotropic liquid crystal (HBTLC) complex is derived from itaconic acid (IA) and 4-n-alkyloxybenzoic acids (nOBAs). The presence of peak at 3477 cm−1 in the FT-IR spectrum confirms the formation of H-bond in IA + 12OBA HBTLC complex. Optical and thermal properties of the titled complexes are investigated. Singularities in the schlieren texture confirm the molecular alignment beyond the inversion wall formation, which occurs only in the lack of polarity. An interesting feature of schlieren texture with brush is observed. Thermochromism in nematic phase of the HBTLC complexes and its applications are reported in this present communication.