Transformation of hydrogen bonding of a liquid crystal-aerosil system under the influence of an electric field☆

Abstract The transformation of hydrogen bonds in the liquid crystal (5CB)-aerosil system under the influence of an electric field is investigated with the use of IR spectroscopy methods. It is shown that aerosil addition (10 wt.%) to 5CB leads to the formation of weak hydrogen bonds between the aerosil hydroxyl groups and the π-electrons of benzene rings of 5CB (SiOH ⋯ π). Under the influence of an electric field ( U = 60 V, ƒ = 2 kHz ) these bonds undergo a rearrangement, the 5CB molecules in the aerosil pores aligning along the direction of the electric field and thereby forming a new network of hydrogen bonds.