Investigation of dielectric behavior of two different Schiff base ferroelectric liquid crystals

Abstract

Herein, we report on the temperature-dependent dielectric behavior of two ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) compounds belonging to a homologous series in the frequency range of 10 Hz–10 MHz. Precisely, the FLCs investigated in the present study are the three-ring, optically active calamitic LCs namely, (R)-4-(((4-(octan-2-yloxy)phenyl)imino)methyl)phenyl 4-(nonyl-oxy)benzoate and (R)-4-(((4-(octan-2-yloxy)phenyl)imino)methyl)phenyl 4-(undecyloxy)-benzoate, which have been, respectively, referred to as SB(R)-9 and SB(R)-11. The complex permittivity of both the LCs has been measured at different temperatures where the relaxation time and conductivity are calculated. The comparative study of these LCs is discussed in terms of changes in the dielectric parameters. The experimental results reported herein may have shed light on the physical parameters and feasibility/suitability of such three-ring calamitics in practical applications, especially in FLC displays.

Keywords:

• Ferroelectric liquid crystal
• relative permittivity
• conductivity
• smectic C* phase

Acknowledgment

VPN profoundly thank Prof. Pratibha R, and her group members, Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru for providing the experimental facilities.