Dielectric and electro-optic properties of 6CHBT nematic liquid crystals and silver nanoparticles composites

ABSTRACT

We have prepared the composite of a room temperature nematic liquid crystalline material namely 4-(trans-4′-n-hexylcyclohexyl) isothiocyanatobenzoate (6CHBT) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Thermodynamic, electro-optic and dielectric properties of the prepared composite have been investigated. From these investigations, parameters such as transition temperature, dielectric anisotropy, dielectric permittivity and splay elastic constant have been determined for the pristine as well as composite systems. Threshold switching voltage of the pure and composite samples has also been determined from transmission voltage curve. The effects of dispersion of AgNPs on dielectric and electro-optic parameters of LC-NPs composite have been discussed in terms of existing standard models.

KEYWORDS:

• Liquid crystals nano composites
• silver nanoparticles
• electro-optic parameters
• dielectric parameters
• switching properties

Acknowledgements

We express our deep sense of gratitude to The Head, Department of Physics and Principal, V.S.S.D, College Kanpur for their encouragement and support. One of us (M.B. Pandey) thanks, Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) DST, Government of India, for financially support wide project no. FTP/PS-60/2008 under which electro-optic measurement facilities were developed.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

R. Dhar http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4685-6299