Electro-optic properties of the BaTiO3-Liquid crystal 5CB colloid

Homogeneous colloid of barium titanate particles of size 600 nm in the liquid crystal (LC) 5CB was prepared. Oleic acid was used as a surfactant for diminution of the anchoring energy and stabilization of particles. Measurements of electro-optical characteristics of pure 5CB and colloid 5C.B + BaTiO3 were carried out at 24 degrees C temperature. It was shown that a presence of ferroelectric particles and oleic acid in 5CB decreased the clearing temperature from 35.2 degrees C to 32.4 degrees C. The threshold voltage of the Freedericksz effect became 0.3 V for the colloid while the beginning of this effect of the pure 5CB was observed at 2.1 V. A rise time improved while adecay time worsened in comparison with the pure 5CB. Experimental results have been explained by the presence of local electric fields in the vicinity of polarized ferroelectric particles, influencing the reorientation speed of LC molecules. (C) 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.