Fig. 3: Schematic illustration of stabilizing BP by molecular synergistic self-assembly.

a The DTC structures (O⁸⁺ structure) and the disclination lines (O⁸⁻ structure) in BP I. b The molecular arrangement of the DTCs in BPLCs. c A disclination formed by three crossed DTCs. d The defect region filled by rodlike molecules. e Defect lattices (O⁸⁻) stabilized by rodlike molecules.