Title: Rapid Phase Transitions of Thermotropic Glycolipid Quasicrystal and Frank‐Kasper Mesophases: A Mechanistic Rosetta Stone

Journal Article · · Angewandte Chemie (International Edition)

Abstract Experimental results are presented that serve to lower the barrier for developing the science and technology of non‐classical thermotropic glycolipid mesophases, which now include dodecagonal quasicrystal (DDQC) and Frank–Kasper (FK) A15 and σ mesophases that can be produced under mild conditions from a versatile class of sugar‐polyolefin conjugates. By employing “alloys” comprised of mono‐ and disaccharide‐polyolefin conjugates, and optionally with vitamin E as a small molecule phase modulator, we report the spontaneous formation of stable A15 mesophases at ambient temperature. We further document a rich thermotropic phase map that includes DDQC, A15, and σ mesophases of tunable periodicity that are connected through rapid thermotropic phase transitions as a function of increasing temperature in the order: liquid‐like packing (LLP)→DDQC → A15→σ→ disorder. This first direct observation of a rapid thermotropic A15→σ phase transition provides support for a diffusionless martensitic process proceeding through strain‐induced introduction of planar defects into the A15 lattice.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0012704
OSTI ID:
1972239
Report Number(s):
BNL-224577-2023-JAAM; e202302739
Journal Information:
Angewandte Chemie (International Edition), Journal Name: Angewandte Chemie (International Edition) Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 62; ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
Germany
Language:
English

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