Synthesis and physical properties of laterally fluoro substituted ferroelectric liquid crystals with a fluoro substituted chiral terminal chain

Abstract

A new series of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) has been designed for active matrix displays based upon the chiral smectic C phase. The FLCs have been derived from optically active fluorinated alkanols and a laterally fluoro substituted biphenylyl-1,3-dioxan core. Their physical properties such as spontaneous polarization, current response time, and tilt angle have been determined. The FLC derived from 2-fluoro-octanol showed a very short current response time of 10μs at T Sm*-N* - T= 10°C, while another FLC with the same core derived from 5-fluoro-octanol gave a value of 150μs.