Ferroelectric nanoparticles in low refractive index liquid crystals for strong electro-optic response

Functional materials based on ferroelectric, inorganic nanoparticles, and low refractive index nematic liquid crystals show strong induced birefringence and dielectric anisotropy. Birefringence can increase by a factor of 2 and dielectric anisotropy by a factor of 3 as compared with nominally pure liquid crystals. The enhancement of the electro-optic performance is higher in liquid crystals with Sn2P2S6 (SPS) nanoparticles than with BaTiO3 nanoparticles. The shape and size distribution of both types of ferroelectric particles were characterized using atomic force microscopy. The average size of SPS nanoparticles was 45 nm and of BaTiO3 nanoparticles was 20 nm. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics.