Dielectric properties of nematic liquid crystal doped with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles

ABSTRACT

The influence of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) on dielectric properties of planar and homeotropic oriented nematic liquid crystals (NLCs) were studied during the temperature interval of 298–322 °K. It was found that the dielectric permittivity was considerably increased by adding NPs mass percentages. The structural characterization of the synthesized NPs with the scale 14–18 nm has been analyzed by the X-ray diffraction and field-emission scanning electron microscopy results. The obtained dielectric anisotropy ($\Delta ϵ$) and mean dielectric ($\overline{ϵ}$) have shown an immense increment in the value of 1% and 10% wt. NPs doped NLCs, respectively. These results were assigned to the strong dipole–dipole interaction between the superparamagnetic particles and the surrounding liquid crystal molecules.

KEYWORDS:

• Nematic liquid crystals
• magnetic nanoparticles
• dielectric properties

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.