Fast responding robust nematic liquid crystalline gels formed by a monodisperse dipeptide: electro-optic and rheological studies

J Phys Chem B. 2009 May 14;113(19):6647-51. doi: 10.1021/jp900074e.

Abstract

Realization of mechanically robust electrically fast responding liquid crystal devices with low operating voltage is one of the current research interests. Here we report a gel system comprising a commercially available nematic liquid crystal material and a new monodisperse dipeptide liquid crystalline organogelator that results in these properties. The gels exhibit nearly 2 orders of magnitude faster switching response than the pure nematic liquid crystal while having 3 orders of magnitude higher zero shear rate viscosity, and with the attractive feature that the switching threshold voltage is hardly altered. Electro-optic and rheological studies of this system are described here.

MeSH terms

  • Dipeptides / chemistry*
  • Electric Impedance
  • Gels
  • Liquid Crystals / chemistry*
  • Mechanics
  • Rheology
  • Time Factors
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Dipeptides
  • Gels