Stabilization of the mesomorphic phase in a self-assembled two-component system.

We reported here the two-component self-assembling building blocks capable of forming lyotropic liquid crystal and liquid-crystalline physical gel. One of the components has a molecular characteristic of C(3)-symmetrical trisureas containing three azobenzene groups, which can form liquid-crystal phase in a temperature range of 133-215 degrees C. Another one has a trisamide core, which can self-aggregate to fibrous network through hydrogen bonds of amide moieties. The mixture of these two components performs lyotropic liquid crystal as well as liquid-crystalline physical gel in a temperature range larger than that of sole compound, suggesting that the cooperation of hydrogen bonds between these components stabilizes the mesophase of the assembly. The mechanism of formation of the mesophase was investigated by infrared spectra and small-angle X-ray scatterings.