Thermal stabilization of the smectic-Cα* phase by doping with photo-active reactive mesogen

The effect of a photo-active reactive mesogen 4-(3-acryloyloxypropyloxy)-benzoesure2-methyl-1,4-phenylester on an antiferroelectric liquid crystal was investigated in the context of possible broadening of the temperature range in which the smectic-C-alpha* phase exists in newly synthesized hybrid materials promising for optical applications. In the mixtures of various reactive mesogen concentrations from 1 to 9 wt. %, dielectric spectroscopy and reversal current method were used to determine the temperature range and switching time of the smectic-C-alpha* phase. As a result of reactive mesogen doping, the thermal stabilization of the smectic-C-alpha* phase over 21.5 degrees C, around a room temperature, i.e. between 26.5 and 48 degrees C, was confirmed in the modified liquid crystal system. (C) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The effect of a photo-active reactive mesogen on an antiferroelectric liquid crystal was investigated to explore the potential broadening of the temperature range in which the smectic-C-alpha* phase exists in newly synthesized hybrid materials.