Non-isothermal cold crystallization of liquid crystalline porphyrins.

Dorfner, Alec L; Locoteta, Diana P; Messinger, Caleb D; Ramsey, Michael R; Kim, Nathaniel Y; Sadzaglishvili, Elene; Kranick, Joshua C; Kuehner, Joseph S et al. · Soft Matter · 2023

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A series of liquid crystalline porphyrins was synthesized, purified, and characterized. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and hot-stage polarized optical microscopy (HS-POM) revealed that the porphyrins in the series with shorter alkyl arm lengths exhibit kinetic cold crystallization, wherein the molecules spontaneously organize into large, disc-like structures that remain stable upon cooling. Using DSC, the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters related to these materials were determined. Analysis of non-isothermal crystallization revealed the presence of multiple nucleation and growth processes related to cold crystallization.