Investigation of 4‘-[(S)-2- Propoxypropoxy] Phenyl 4-(4-Decyloxy) Benzoate (PPPhDB) by Complementary Methods

Abstract

Dielectric, electrooptic, DSC calorimetry studies and texture observations have been carried out for 4‘-[(S)-2 propoxypropoxy] phenyl 4-(4-decyloxy) benzoate in a wide temperature range. Dielectric spectra were taken in the frequency range from 10Hz to 10GHz. Electrooptic studies were performed on oriented SmC* phase. Texture observations and DSC calorimetry confirm the existence of a monotropic highly ordered S₃ phase. On the basis of TDS measurements and electrooptic studies this phase seems to be a highly ordered non-ferroelectric phase. Low frequency dielectric spectrum of the SmC* phase is complex and consists at least of two contributions which is typical of ferroelectric liquid crystals with high spontaneous polarization.