Advances in Chiral Luminescent Liquid Crystals (CLLCs): From Molecular Design to Applications

Abstract

Research on circularly polarized luminescent materials (CPL) has evolved into hot research topic because of its potential application prospects in the optoelectronics and chiroptic fields. Achieving a large glum value and high quantum efficiency is essential and challenging in CPL research. To date, various material design strategies such as chiral organic small molecules, CPL-polymers, chiral lanthanide complexes, chiral liquid crystals and supramolecular self-assembly have been proposed to achieve a CPL emitter with a high glum value. Among them, chiral luminescent liquid crystals (CLLCs) are recognized as a key approach to achieve CPL materials with a large glum factor due to their exceptional optical properties and flexibility. In this review we focused on the various synthesis methods employed for developing CLLCs, properties and their potential applications. The synthesis section discusses various approaches employed to design chiral luminescent liquid crystals including (i) doping systems- incorporating chiral dopants into achiral liquid crystalline hosts and (ii) non doped method for preparing AIE active chiral luminescent liquid crystalline materials. The properties section highlights how chirality influences their optical, electronic and structural characteristics of CLLCs. Finally, we discuss the diverse applications of CLLCs from photonics, chiral switching to optoelectronic devices and beyond. This review provides new insights into recent research developments and future opportunities in this booming research field. We anticipate that this review could offer a clear picture of the interesting properties of chiral luminescent liquid crystal materials and inspire more researchers to work in this potential area.