Thermo-Optical Study of Cholesteric Liquid Crystal and Mixtures

In this paper an experimental Thermal study of Cholesteric Liquid Crystal and its mixtures is presented. We have dispersed monomer in CLC to form Polymer dispersed liquid crystal. We have also doped ferroelectric nano powder of Barium titanate (BaTiO3) in CLC. Different analytical techniques were used to study the phase morphology of CLC in the neat as well as in the doped state. Differential scanning calorimetry and Fabry-Perot spectroscopy techniques were employed to study phase transitions. The mesophase characterization was done using optical polarizing microscopy. The CLC, both as mesogenic moieties and as dispersed droplets exhibited various textures according to their molecular order and orientation. The phase transitions occurred at temperatures lower than those exhibited by the mesogenic component before doping. Enhancement in the thermo-optical properties of CLC is observed after doping. This holds potential for variety of electro-optic application ranging from display to light shutters.