Polymorphism, structure and dynamics investigations of 4-cyano-3-fluorophenyl 4′-n-octylbenzoate (8CFPB) liquid crystal

Phase transition behavior of 4-cyano-3-fluorophenyl 4′-n-octylbenzoate (8CFPB) was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Liquid-like and solid-like polymorphism with monotropic system of phases was identified. Assignment of the FT-IR vibrational modes in glass of the crystalline rotatory phase was done using the quantum mechanical calculation method and the relationship between molecular dynamics and crystalline structures is discussed.