Effect of γ-irradiation on various important physical properties of a room temperature ferroelectric liquid crystal mixture and its silver nanocomposite

Abstract

A room temperature ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) mixture and its silver nanocomposite have been irradiated by various doses of γ-radiation from 60Co. Phase transition temperatures, dielectric permittivity, optical tilt angle, spontaneous polarization, rotational viscosity, switching time, and conductivity of the systems have been determined as a function of the irradiation dose and temperature. Phase transition temperatures and optical tilt angles of both the systems decrease significantly, more in the pristine mixture, meaning a decrease of the order parameter with irradiation. Remarkable changes are exhibited in the dielectric permittivity as well as in their molecular dynamics as confirmed by the change in Goldstone and soft mode relaxation frequencies. The conductivity of the irradiated mixture increases considerably compared to its nanocomposite probably due to the production of more ions by the radiolysis process. Spontaneous polarization, rotational viscosity, and switching time are also found to decrease linearly with irradiation dose. At the maximum absorbed dose, switching time decreases by 140 μs in the pristine mixture and 110 μs in the nanocomposite suggesting their more suitability in display applications. The concentration of the chiral dopant also influences the impact of irradiation.