Thermal stabilization of the smectic-Cα phase by doping with photo-active reactive mesogen

• Published in: Journal of molecular liquids 2022-09, Vol.361, p.119552, Article 119552
• Main Authors: Knapkiewicz, Magdalena, Robakowska, Mariola, Rachocki, Adam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antiferroelectric liquid crystal; Monomer-doped liquid crystals; Reactive mesogen; Smectic C-alpha phase; Thermal stabilization
• ISSN: 0167-7322; 1873-3166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119552

•The incorporation of monomers into liquid crystals changes their physical properties.•Dielectric properties and switching behaviour ofliquid crystalmolecules depend on the monomer concentration.•A new method for thermal stabilization of the smectic-Ca* phase is presented.•The admixture ofmonomer causes a relatively small decrease in spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal system. The effect of a photo-active reactive mesogen 4-(3-acryloyloxypropyloxy)-benzoesure2-methyl-1,4-phenylester on an antiferroelectric liquid crystal was investigated in the context of possible broadening of the temperature range in which the smectic-Cα* phase exists in newly synthesized hybrid materials promising for optical applications. In the mixtures of various reactive mesogen concentrations from 1 to 9 wt. %, dielectric spectroscopy and reversal current method were used to determine the temperature range and switching time of the smectic-Cα* phase. As a result of reactive mesogen doping, the thermal stabilization of the smectic-Cα* phase over 21.5 °C, around a room temperature, i.e. between 26.5 and 48 °C, was confirmed in the modified liquid crystal system.