https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2015-15103-7
Regular Article
On the phase transitions of 8CB/Sn2P2S6 liquid crystal nanocolloids
1
Unité de Dynamique et Structure des Matériaux Moléculaires (UDSMM), Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale (ULCO), 50, Rue Ferdinand Buisson, 62228, Calais Cedex, France
2
Unité de Dynamique et Structure des Matériaux Moléculaires (UDSMM), Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale (ULCO), 145, Avenue Maurice Schumann, 59140, Dunkerque, France
* e-mail: yaochen.lin@univ-littoral.fr
Received:
3
April
2015
Revised:
11
June
2015
Accepted:
28
August
2015
Published online:
28
September
2015
Using differential scanning calorimetry measurements, the influence of Sn2P2S6 ferroelectric nanoparticles on the phase transition temperatures of the 8CB liquid crystal is studied. The spontaneous polarization, ionic and anchoring effects are discussed. For low concentration of dopant, the global effect leads to a decrease and an increase of the nematic-isotropic and the smectic A-nematic phase transition temperatures, respectively. For high concentrations, due to aggregates formation, the predominant anchoring effect induces a decrease of the both phase transition temperatures.
Key words: Soft Matter: Liquid crystals
© EDP Sciences, SIF, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2015