Textural, phase transition and electro-optic studies of polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystals

Abstract

Blue phase liquid crystal (BPLC) material was prepared using nematic liquid crystal (BL036) and a chiral dopant (CB15) in equal wt./wt. ratio. Polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystals (PSBPLCs) material was also prepared by polymer stabilization in BPLC material. The phase transition temperatures (Isotropic-BP, BP-N*) and electro-optic behaviour of PSBPLC material was investigated in thin cell. A platelet type texture clearly specifies the appearance of BP in the narrow range of 3.7 °C and increases up to 10.7 °C after polymer stabilization. This increment in BP range is attributed to the localization of the polymer at the disclinations lines and hence improve the thermal stability. The electro-optic parameters, such as On state voltage and Kerr constant were found 70 V and 1.04 nm/V2 respectively.