Differential negative resistance in the current–voltage characteristics of a new palladium(II) metallomesogen

Abstract

A new palladium(II) organometallic complex with liquid crystal properties was prepared and its electrical conduction was investigated in all specific mesophases. It was established that the electrical conduction is of ionic type. The negative differential electrical resistivity was evidenced. The effect is explained by the particular characteristics of the interactions between the charge carriers and the liquid crystal in electric field. A new method for determining the activation energy is proposed, based on the analysis of the ionic current dependency on voltage. The obtained results are of interest for the design of liquid crystal devices.

Keywords:

• liquid crystals
• metallomesogen
• negative differential resistance
• electronic conduction
• ionic conduction

Acknowledgement

The authors acknowledge the financial support from CNCSIS –UEFISCSU, project numbers PNII – IDEI ID_123/2008 and ID_954/2007.