Eur. Phys. J. E (2015) 38: 103
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

Abstract

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.