Influence of ZnO nanoparticle concentration on electro-optic and dielectric properties of ferroelectric liquid crystal mixture

• Published in: Journal of molecular liquids 2013-12, Vol.188, p.230-236
• Main Authors: Chaudhary, Ashok, Malik, Praveen, Mehra, Rohit, Raina, K.K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dielectric permittivity; Ferroelectric liquid crystal; Response time; Spontaneous polarization; ZnO nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0167-7322; 1873-3166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2013.09.020

We present here the electro-optic and dielectric properties of ZnO nanoparticle doped ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) mixtures. A small quantity of ZnO nanoparticles (0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0wt.%) was dispersed into FLC with a thickness of 5.0±0.2μm. The enhancement in physical parameters is found to be dependent on ZnO nanoparticle concentration. The lower concentration of ZnO nanoparticles (0.1–0.3wt.%) enhances the value of spontaneous polarization and decreases for higher concentration (0.5–1.0wt.%). The fastening of response time has also been noticed in the doped sample cells up to 0.3wt.% concentration. Dielectric measurements revealed a concentration dependence effect in all sample cells. A low threshold voltage and improved contrast ratio has been noticed for 0.3wt.% concentration over other doped samples. •Small amount of ZnO nanoparticle (≤1%) were doped into FLC mixture and study the ZnO concentration effect on the electro-optic and dielectric properties of FLC.•The improved physical properties of FLC such as spontaneous polarization, switching response, threshold voltage were notice in low amount (≤0.3wt. /wt.% of FLC) of ZnO concentration.•Dielectric measurements revealed a concentration dependence effect.•A better contrast ratio was observed in 0.3wt.% ZnO doped FLC sample over other samples.