n-Type Columnar Liquid Crystal Combining Ionic and Electronic Functions

The research in the field of electronic and photonic devices based on ordered organic semiconducting materials has been boosted by the development of new multifunctional materials. The order characterizing liquid crystals has been exploited for improving charge mobility performances. However, while in the last decade much effort has been addressed to the synthesis of hole-conducting materials (p-type), less attention has been paid on the development of electron-conducting ones (n-type). Here we show the bulk multifunctional properties of a -conjugated thienoviologen ionic liquid crystal which exhibits strong electron acceptor character. Notably, the combination of its optical properties with high ionic conductivities and fast intermolecular electron transport, leads to unique bulk electrochromic functions.