The still undiscovered fluid ferroelectric nematic phase is expected to exhibit a much faster and easier response to an external electric field compared to conventional ferroelectric smectic liquid crystals; therefore, the discovery of such a phase could open new avenues in electro-optic device technology. Here, experimental evidence of a ferroelectric response to a switching electric field in a low molarmass nematic liquid crystal is reported and connected with field-induced biaxiality. The fluid is made of bent-core polar molecules and is nematic over a range of 120 -C. Combining repolarization current measurements, electro-optical characterizations, X-ray diffraction and computer simulations, ferroelectric switching is demonstrated and it is concluded that the response is due to field-induced reorganization of polar cybotactic groups within the nematic phase. This work represents significant progress toward the realization of ferroelectric fluids that can be aligned at command with a simple electric field.

O. Francescangeli, V. Stanic, S.I. Torgova, A. Strigazzi, N. Scaramuzza, C. Ferrero, et al. (2009). Ferroelectric response and induced biaxiality in the nematic phase of a bent-core mesogen. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, 19, 2560-2592 [10.1002/adfm.200801865].

Ferroelectric response and induced biaxiality in the nematic phase of a bent-core mesogen

BERARDI, ROBERTO;MUCCIOLI, LUCA;ORLANDI, SILVIA;ZANNONI, CLAUDIO
2009

Abstract

The still undiscovered fluid ferroelectric nematic phase is expected to exhibit a much faster and easier response to an external electric field compared to conventional ferroelectric smectic liquid crystals; therefore, the discovery of such a phase could open new avenues in electro-optic device technology. Here, experimental evidence of a ferroelectric response to a switching electric field in a low molarmass nematic liquid crystal is reported and connected with field-induced biaxiality. The fluid is made of bent-core polar molecules and is nematic over a range of 120 -C. Combining repolarization current measurements, electro-optical characterizations, X-ray diffraction and computer simulations, ferroelectric switching is demonstrated and it is concluded that the response is due to field-induced reorganization of polar cybotactic groups within the nematic phase. This work represents significant progress toward the realization of ferroelectric fluids that can be aligned at command with a simple electric field.
2009
O. Francescangeli, V. Stanic, S.I. Torgova, A. Strigazzi, N. Scaramuzza, C. Ferrero, et al. (2009). Ferroelectric response and induced biaxiality in the nematic phase of a bent-core mesogen. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, 19, 2560-2592 [10.1002/adfm.200801865].
O. Francescangeli; V. Stanic; S.I. Torgova; A. Strigazzi; N. Scaramuzza; C. Ferrero; I. Dolbnya; T. M. Weiss; R. Berardi; L. Muccioli; S. Orlandi; C. ...espandi
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/80016
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