Phase transition properties of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystals

ABSTRACT

Thermodynamic models based on the Landau free-energy density are popular and well suited to study the phase transition properties of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystals. Ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystals have molecular chirality which play an important role in the technology of liquid crystals for the application of devices performance. The structural properties of ferroelectric phase transitions which give rise to the macroscopic tensors coupled to the macroscopic fields, the parameters describing the antiferroelectric phase transitions are still under investigation due to the lack of precise symmetrical properties characterising their existence. The study of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystals has been substantial experimental strides. In theoretical approach, there has been relatively inappreciable work on this fascinating class of material. The present review paper focused on a comprehensive overview of the current scenario of the phase transition properties of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystals for the fundamental and technological applications. The Landau Ginzburg theory of the phase transitions between ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid mesophases is investigated. The important experimental and theoretical developments of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric mesogens are also summarised.

KEYWORDS:

• Thermodynamical model
• ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystals
• phase transition

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge JSSMVP Mysore for kind support and encouragement.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.