The effect of MWS polarisation on the morphology and electro-optical behaviour of normal-mode polymer-stabilised cholesteric textures

ABSTRACT

We investigate the process and the resulting properties of the curing electric-field-induced segregation of reactive monomers (containing polar groups) in a host liquid crystal. The obtained dielectric spectrum of these cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) reveals polarisation at low frequencies. This is a strong indication that charge carriers accumulate at the interface between the sample and the electrodes in these compounds and consistent with Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars (MWS) polarisation. A polymer film forms on the substrate with its thickness determined by the MWS polarisation strength. The SEM images show that the polymer network becomes less dense when MWS polarisation increases. The results are a higher operating voltage and faster response time.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Polymer-stabilised cholesteric textures
• polymer network
• MWS polarisation
• electro-optical property

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by National High Technology Research and Development Program of China [grant number 2012AA011901]; the Basic Research Program of China [grant number 2012CB723406]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 61107014], [grant number 51203039], [grant number 2120417], [grant number 21174036], [grant number 51103034]; Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University [grant number NCET-12-0839]; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.