Anhydrous proton conduction in liquid crystals containing benzimidazole moieties

A homologous series of biphenyl benzoate-based compounds with an alkthio chain bearing a benzimidazole moiety at the termini was synthesized by a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The compounds exhibited smectic A and nematic phases over a temperature range of 173-116 degrees C during the cooling process. A partially interdigitated bilayer order developed in the smectic assemblies and hydrogen-bonding between the benzimidazole moieties extended along the plane parallel to the smectic layer. Electrochemical characterization revealed that the liquid crystal phases favoured anhydrous proton conduction in the benzimidazole compounds and a proton conductivity of 4.4 x 10(-5) S cm(-1) was achieved at 173 degrees C. The temperature dependence of the proton conductivities approximately followed the Arrhenius law and the proton conduction in the benzimidazole liquid crystals was assumed to be dominated by the proton hopping mechanism.