Beatriz Robles-Hernández

TL;DR: A complementary extended molecular field theory was found to be in suggestive accord with the (2)H-NMR studies of CB6OCB-d2, and those already known for CB7CB-d4, including the reduced transition temperature, TNTBN/TNI, and the order parameter of the mesogenic arms in the N phase close to the NTB-N transition.

TL;DR: It is concluded that the low temperature mesophase exhibits the characteristics of a twist-bend nematic phase, and the nematic-to-isotropic phase transition has been exhaustively studied from the accurate evolution of the heat capacity and the static dielectric permittivity data.

TL;DR: The nature of the nematic-nematic phase transition in the liquid crystal dimer 1″,9″-bis(4-cyanobiphenyl-4'-yl) nonane (CB9CB) has been investigated using techniques of calorimetry, dynamic dielectric response measurements, and (2)H NMR spectroscopy.

TL;DR: In this paper, the synthesis and characterization of novel compounds that incorporate the high current interest functional cyanostilbene unit are reported, and four examples, derived from 3,4′-biphenylene, have a 2D molecular shape that promotes a variety of bent-core liquid crystalline phases (columnar, polar smectic C, and dark-conglomerate phases).

Abstract: In this work we have developed low-cost, renewable and sustainable materials based on cellulose for electronic applications. The UV–Vis spectroscopy, water contact angle and differential scanning calorimetry results reveal a marked effect of absorbed water on the physical properties of cellulose nanopaper. Morphological observations reveal that the TEMPO oxidized cellulose-based foils were successfully covered by a 200-nm-thick copper layer by DC sputtering. The obtained low surface roughness, porosity and hydrophilicity of the nanopaper allow an efficient deposition of Cu on synthesized nanopaper. The thermal stability of cellulose nanopaper is markedly increased from 240 to 324 °C after Cu sputtering, results that are especially interesting for applications in which devices should withstand high temperatures. Dynamic mechanical analysis shows that the Cu-covered nanopaper maintains its mechanical stiffness up to ~180 °C. Finally, dielectric spectroscopy measurements reveal that developed Cu-coated nanopaper could emerge as a suitable bio-based material for radiofrequency applications. In this work we explore sputter coating as an alternative method to reduce the intrinsic hydrophilicity of synthesized nanopaper instead of including a polymer in the nanocellulose or functionalizing its surface chemically. The obtained findings highlight the potential application of transparent and mechanically robust cellulose nanopaper in the field of electronics and communication engineering.