![Sample our Physical Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110819/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Physical-Sciences.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
The fluid ferroelectrics, called ferroelectric nematics (NF), have recently become available by incorporating strong polarity into rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules. Its unprecedented electro-optic properties have created significant excitement in soft matter research. The further progression from the NF phase to the antiferroelectric smectic Z (SmZA) phase, and ultimately to the ferroelectric Smectic A (SmAF) phase, represents a remarkable journey in emerging polar liquid crystal states. Nevertheless, the limitation of NF liquid crystal materials remains one of the prominent obstacles to physical property optimization and optoelectronic device development. In this work, we synthesized a series of fluorinated liquid crystal molecules with large dipole moments and systematically investigated their phase behavior. We designed them with a similar fluorinated aromatic skeleton and varied the structures of the terminal group and bridging bond. We found that the dipole moment density and shape anisotropy significantly affect the phase behavior. Notably, diverse polar liquid crystal phases, including NF, SmZA, and SmAF were observed. Through a multi-component mixing strategy, we successfully achieved a much-expanded temperature window and improved low-temperature stability not only in the NF phase but also in the SmZA and SmAF phases.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Supplementary material
Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/02678292.2024.2306309.