Abstract
A new series of hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals was prepared by mixing 4-n-alkoxy-2.3-difluorobenzoic acid and 4-pentyl-4-biphenylcarbonitrile (5CB). Thermal and liquid crystal behaviour was established using differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. The influence of terminal acid donors on mesogenic behaviour was discussed in detail. It was found that all complexes with a (1:1) molar ratio exhibit the smectic B phase. In addition, the binary phase diagram that has been established revealed that the mixtures with lower concentration exhibit a nematic phase at room temperature with large stability. Dielectric, electro-optic and viscoelastic properties of 5CB/9OBAFF with molar fraction x = 0.1 were discussed.