Effects of ferroelectric nanoparticles on smectic-A to chiral smectic-C* phase transition

ABSTRACT

Effects of ferroelectric nanoparticles on the smectic-A to chiral smectic-C${ }^{\ast }$ transition are studied theoretically. The temperature dependence of the spontaneous polarisation, tilt angle and dielectric susceptibility for different concentrations of the ferroelectric nanoparticles near the SmA-SmC${ }^{\ast }$ phase transition are discussed in the context of Landau theory. A qualitative agreement between experimental and theoretical results is found.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Ferroelectric liquid crystals
• nanoparticles
• phase transition

Disclosure statement

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