Molecular design of ferroelectric liquid crystals

Abstract

Based upon the concept that ferroelectricity in FLCs is a manifestation of a novel form of molecular recognition occurring in the LC phase, we have developed a simple stereochemical model for the ferroelectric polarization. According to the model molecules in the phase are ordered with respect to conformational and rotational states by a surface or binding siteresulting from time-average interactions with the neighboring molecules. This binding site has certain symmetry properties, and a shape which depends upon the components in the phase. Application of the binding site model to various FLC materials will be discussed.