| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a gel-like substance which does not substantially have the fluidity of a liquid crystal compound, especially a gel-like substance which exhibits liquid crystalline properties, by causing a liquid crystalline compound to gel by mixing it with a gelling agent. SOLUTION: Preferably, a gelling agent having a linking group or groups, e.g. -NHCO- or a combination of -NH- with -CO-, capable of forming an intermolecular hydrogen bond or bonds is used. A compound having a part structure represented by the formula or a compound having at least two groups capable of forming intermolecular hydrogen bonds and at least two alkylene groups is preferable. Preferably, the gelling agent has a mol.wt. of 2,000 or lower and is used in an amount of 0.01-20 mol % of the sum of amounts of the gelling agent and a liquid crystalline compound. Preferably, the liquid crystalline compound exhibits a smectic phase and/or a chiral smectic phase, and a liquid crystalline gel which is formed by cooling a mixture containing a gelling agent having a gelation temperature lower than the clarifying temperature of the liquid crystal and is in an isotropic liquid state is especially preferable.
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