EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES ON THE PHYSICAL AND OPTICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FERROELECTRIC LIQUID CRYSTALS

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of doping ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) with silver nanoparticles on their physical and optical properties, focusing on polarization, response time, rotational viscosity, and UV-visible absorption spectra. The research problem addresses the gap in understanding how nanoparticle doping influences these critical parameters. We utilized systematic experimental designs to measure the polarization and response time across temperatures, assess rotational viscosity, and analyze UV-Vis spectra for both doped and undoped FLCs. Our analysis reveals that doping with silver nanoparticles enhances the initial polarization and reduces response time, with the 40nm nanoparticles showing the most pronounced effects. Additionally, doped FLCs exhibit lower rotational viscosity compared to pure FLCs, indicating improved molecular mobility. UV-Vis spectroscopy shows shifts in absorption peaks, reflecting changes in the electronic environment due to doping. These findings suggest that silver nanoparticles significantly modify the properties of liquid crystals, offering potential improvements in display technologies and optical devices. The study highlights the benefits of nanoparticle doping in optimizing liquid crystal performance.