Thermal stability and electro-optical characteristics of polymer stabilised blue phase liquid crystalline materials: a role of polymer concentration

ABSTRACT

Polymer stabilised blue phase liquid crystals (PSBPLCs) perpetually boost the advancement for next-generation display technologies and optoelectronics. Herein, a series of polymer concentration dependent PSBPLC samples have been prepared using nematic liquid crystal (BL036), chiral dopant (CB15) and mono, di-functional monomers (EHA, RM257). A systematic and detailed study of polymer concentration effect on textures and electro-optic properties have been investigated. Platelets like textures with considerable BPs range were perceived for three polymer concentrations (6.5 wt.%, 8.5 wt.%, 10.5 wt.%) whereas no such BPs were recognised for 5.0 wt.% and 12.5 wt.% precursors. Interestingly, a noteworthy wide BP temperature range of ~ 38°C was observed in 8.5 wt.% precursor based PSBPLC sample. The electro-optical parameters like induced birefringence, residual birefringence, hysteresis, operating voltage and Kerr constant were also measured to support the applicability of the present material.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Blue phase liquid crystal
• polymer
• birefringence
• electro-optic
• Kerr constant

Article highlights

1. PSBPLCs materials are prepared using photo polymerization process and polymer concentration (5.0−12.5 wt.%) effects are studied in BPLCs.

2. A wide BP temperature range (38°C) BP was observed for an optimum value of polymer concentration 8.5 wt.% sample.

3. An increase in operating voltage, decrease in hysteresis and Kerr constant with increase in polymer concentration is observed.

Acknowledgements

The authors are highly thankful to DST, SERB India for financial support under the Project Numbers EMR/2016/003540.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the DST SERB, India [EMR/2016/003540].