Dielectric, thermal and optical study of an unusually shaped liquid crystal

Dielectric measurements have been carried out for the determination of real and imaginary parts of the permittivity of a newly synthesized, unusually shaped liquid crystal. The sample has been investigated in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 10 MHz within a temperature range 80-130 °C. The dielectric measurements in the smectic A phase indicate a Cole-Cole type of dispersion, and the activation energy was found to be 5.5 meV by using the Arrhenius plot of relaxation time. In addition to this, thermal and optical transmittance studies have also been conducted in the above mentioned temperature range, and the temperature dependence of these parameters has been discussed in detail. The phase transition temperature obtained from a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study matches within 2 °C that was obtained from an optical transmittance study. The dielectric and optical behavior of the unusually shaped liquid crystal has been explained on the basis of a proposed theoretical model in which a sample possesses two different conformers having induced polarizations in opposite directions.     

Effect of Dichroic dye on dielectric properties of ferroelectric liquid crystals: A comparative study

In order to study the effect of mixing dye molecules in ferroelectric liquid crystals, we have investigated two ferroelectric liquid crystal samples CS1016 and Felix 17/000 along with their mixture with Anthraquinone dye. The measurements have been made in the frequency range 100 Hz-10 MHz, with the variation of temperature from 30 to 90 °C. The dielectric behaviour of dye mixed CS1016 is quite different from that of Felix 17/000. This different behaviour has been explained by determining other parameters like distribution parameter, dielectric strength and relaxation frequency, etc. The different nature shown by two different samples has also been explained by electro-optical measurements.     

Effect of polymer relaxation on dielectric spectroscopic study of polymer–ferroelectric liquid crystal composites

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and ferroelectric liquid crystal (P–FLC) composite films (~ 4 μm) with varying proportions of ferroelectric liquid crystal have been prepared and the dielectric response of the composite films as a function of wide frequency (100 Hz–10 MHz) and temperature (127–40 °C) have been analyzed. The dielectric spectra of such composite systems are considerably modified compared to those of the corresponding pure LC or PMMA materials. The observed paraelectric to ferroelectric transition temperature of the composites is found to be lower (~ 85 °C) compared to that of the pure LC system (~ 98 °C), which makes these composites technologically more significant. The P–FLC composites also exhibit higher relaxation frequency and smaller dielectric strength for the Goldstone mode compared to those of the corresponding pure FLC. Depending on the percentage of the constitute materials, the molecular dynamics of the composite materials changes. Dielectric contributions of both liquid crystal and PMMA matrix forming the composites have been analyzed on the basis of Havriliak and Negami function.     

Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy of guest-host ferroelectric liquid crystals: influence of anthraquinone dye

The dielectric spectroscopy of a short pitch and high spontaneous polarization ferroelectric liquid crystal mixture and its guest-host derivatives with different wt/wt ratio of anthraquinone blue dichroic dye has been studied over a wide frequency range of 50 Hz-1 MHz. The increase in dye concentration results in the decrease of the permittivity of the material in the SmC* phase, however, an opposite effect is observed in the SmA phase. The influence of bias voltage on the dielectric parameters has also been investigated. A new relaxation mode has been observed with a relaxation frequency of ∼300 kHz and dielectric strength of ∼5 at room temperature.     

Electrical properties and dielectric relaxation of thermally evaporated zinc phthalocyanine thin films

The electrical transport properties and dielectric relaxation of Au/zinc phthalocyanine, ZnPC/Au devices have been investigated. The DC thermal activation energy at temperature region 400-500 K is 0.78 eV. The dominant conduction mechanisms in the device are ohmic conduction below 1 V and space charge limited conduction dominated by exponential trap distribution in potentials >1 V. Some parameters, such as concentration of thermally generated holes in valence band, the trap concentration per unit energy range at the valence band edge, the total concentration of traps and the temperature parameter characterizing the exponential trap distribution and their relation with temperatures have been determined. The AC electrical conductivity, σ_ac, as a function of temperature and frequency has been investigated. It showed a frequency and temperature dependence of AC conductivity for films in the temperature range 300-400 K. The films conductivity in the temperature range 400-435 K increased with increasing temperature and it shows no response for frequency change. The dominant conduction mechanism is the correlated barrier hopping. The temperature and frequency dependence of real and imaginary dielectric constants and loss tangent were investigated.     

Dielectric properties and phase transition of zinc tris(thiourea) sulfate single crystal

The dielectric properties and the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition of zinc tris(thiourea) sulfate (ZTS) single crystal have been investigated in a wide range of temperatures and frequencies. In the lower frequency region the real part of dielectric permittivity of the ZTS crystal shows a sudden increase at 323 K. Prominent first-order ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition at 323 K has been observed in the plot of dielectric permittivity versus temperature at different frequencies. It has been observed that the phase transition occurs in ZTS crystal with a low degree of disorder. Surprisingly, it has been observed for ZTS that the value of the dielectric permittivity is only about 10 at high frequencies and is found to increase to 50 at low frequencies. Dielectric loss has higher values in the paraelectric region.     

Dielectric relaxation of CdSe nanoparticles

Nanoparticles of cadmium selenide (CdSe) have been synthesized by soft chemical route using mercaptoethanol as a capping agent. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope measurements show that the prepared sample belongs to sphalerite structure with the average particle size of 25 nm. The band gap of the material is found to be 2.1 eV. The photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra of the sample are measured at various excitation wavelengths. The PL spectra appear in the visible region, and the emission feature depends on the wavelength of the excitation. Impedance spectroscopy is applied to investigate the dielectric relaxation of the sample in a temperature range from 323 to 473 K and in a frequency range from 42 Hz to 1.1 MHz. The complex impedance plane plot has been analyzed by an equivalent circuit consisting of two serially connected R-CPE units, each containing a resistance (R) and a constant phase element (CPE). The dielectric relaxation of the sample is investigated in the electric modulus formalism. The temperature dependent relaxation times obey the Arrhenius law. The Havriliak–Negami model is used to investigate the dielectric relaxation mechanism in the sample. The frequency dependent conductivity spectra are found to obey the power law.     

Characteristic dielectric parameters of para-, ferro- and antiferro-electric phases of (S)-4-(1-methylheptyloxycarbonyl)phenyl-4′-(6-pentanoyloxyhex-1-oxy)biphenyl-4-carboxylate

Frequency and temperature dependence of dielectric parameters of a liquid crystalline compound (S)-4-(1-methylheptyloxycarbonyl)phenyl-4′-(6-pentanoyloxyhex-1-oxy)biphenyl-4-carboxylate under planar orientation of the molecules have been investigated in the frequency range 1 Hz-10 MHz. This compound possesses smectic paraelectric (SmA*), ferroelectric (SmC*) and antiferroelectric (SmC_A*) phases. Dielectric spectroscopy suggests the existence of a relaxation mechanism in the SmA* phase, which behaves as a soft mode. In the SmC* phase two relaxation modes are observed. One mode continues from the SmA* phase with decreasing dielectric strength and the other has characteristics of the Goldstone mode. Two dielectric relaxation modes have been observed for the SmC_A* phase. These two modes are related to the antiferroelectric ordering and the helical structure of the SmC_A* phase.     

Photoconductivity, dielectric and thermal investigations of pure, benzophenone- and iodine-doped benzoyl glycine NLO single crystals

Physical properties such as photoconductivity, dielectric and thermal stability have been investigated for pure benzoyl glycine (BG) crystals. In addition to this, the influence of dopants (benzophenone and iodine) of these properties on BG crystals has been studied. Photoconductivity studies on pure BG, benzophenone-and iodine-doped BG revealed the positive photoconducting nature. The dielectric responses of the samples have been studied in the frequency range 100 Hz-500 KHz at room temperature and the results are discussed in detail. The thermogravimetric studies of pure and doped BG crystals indicate that the presence of dopants has slightly increased the decomposition temperature of pure BG samples, thereby enhancing thermal stability to the doped ones.     

Crystallinity and dielectric relaxations in semi-crystalline poly(ether ether ketone)

The Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars (MWS) relaxation is studied for semi-crystalline polymers poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK), in the range 20 Hz-1 MHz and temperature varying from 80 to 330 °C. The parameter is the crystallization condition in the case of PEEK, which is a semi-crystalline polymer considered as a particulate composite. The relaxation found in the semi-crystalline polymers above the α relaxation of the PEEK is ascribed to the trapping of conductive carriers at the interface between crystalline lamellae and the amorphous matrix. The study of PEEK microstructure is based on differential calorimetry and X-rays diffraction. Two lamellae populations have been detected, that depends on the crystallization temperature and its duration. The crystallinity rate is increasing with crystallization temperature and duration. In dielectric studies, the use of the electric modulus instead of permittivity allows us to minimize the ionic conduction and then leads to the appearance of the interfacial relaxation. According to our measurements, the crystallinity rate is not the main factor of the interfacial relaxation intensity, which also depends on the nature and degree of perfection of the lamellae.     

Heat treatment effects on dielectric and physico-chemical properties of an epoxy polymer

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, dielectric spectroscopy (DS), and thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) have been used to study heat treatment effects on an epoxy-based polymer. Variations in physico-chemical and dielectric properties were examined for annealing temperatures between 55 and 170 °C. IR results have shown that heating causes both chain scission and thermal oxidation of the polymer, increasing thus the amount of trapped charges. The complex dielectric permittivity and the dielectric modulus have been analyzed, by means of DS, to highlight and separate charge relaxation phenomena from conduction contributions. Results indicate structural rearrangements, leading to a decrease of dipolar relaxation frequency (from 16 to 13.5 kHz) and an increase of the relaxation strength (around 20%). TSDC measurements have shown a current peak shift towards higher temperatures, and a significant intensity decrease, which is proportional to the quantity of released charges.     

Dielectric parameters in Se70Te30 and Se70Te28Zn2 chalcogenide glasses

Temperature and frequency dependence of dielectric constant (ε′) and dielectric loss (ε″) are studied in glassy Se₇₀Te₃₀ and Se₇₀Te₂₈Zn₂. The measurements have been made in the frequency range (8-500 kHz) and in the temperature range 300 to 350 K. An analysis of the dielectric loss data shows that the Guintini's theory of dielectric dispersion based on two-electron hopping over a potential barrier is applicable in the present case.No dielectric loss peak is observed in glassy Se₇₀Te₃₀. However, such loss peaks exist in the glassy Se₇₀Te₂₈Zn₂ in the above frequency and temperature range. The Cole-Cole diagrams have been used to determine some parameters such as the distribution parameter (α), the macroscopic relaxation time (τ₀), the molecular relaxation time (τ) and the Gibb's free energy for relaxation (ΔF).     

Electron hopping mechanism in hematite (α-Fe2O3)

The frequency dependence of the real (?′) and imaginary (?″) parts of the dielectric constant of polycrystalline hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) has been investigated in the frequency range 0-100 kHz and the temperature range 190-350 K, in order to reveal experimentally the electron hopping mechanism that takes place during the Morin transition of spin-flip process. The dielectric behaviour is described well by the Debye-type relaxation (α-dispersion) in the temperature regions T<233 K and T>338 K. In the intermediate temperature range 233 K<T<338 K a charge carrier mechanism takes place (electron jump from the O²⁻ ion into one of the magnetic ions Fe³⁺) which gives rise to the low frequency conductivity and to the Ω-dispersion. The temperature dependence of relaxation time (τ) in the −ln τ vs 10³/T plot shows two linear regions. In the first, T<238 K, τ increases with increasing T implying a negative activation energy −0.01 eV, and in the second region T>318 K τ decreases as the temperature increases implying a positive activation energy 0.12 eV. The total reorganization energy (0.12-0.01) 0.11 eV is in agreement with the adiabatic activation energy 0.11 eV given by an ab initio model in the literature. The temperature dependence of the phase shift in the frequencies 1, 5, 10 kHz applied shows clearly an average Morin temperature T_Mo=284±1 K that is higher than the value of 263 K corresponding to a single crystal due to the size and shape of material grains.     

Structural, dielectric relaxation and piezoelectric characterization of Sr substituted modified PMS-PZT ceramic

Pyrochlore phase free [Pb_0.94Sr_0.06] [(Mn_1/3Sb_2/3)_0.05(Zr_0.53Ti_0.47)_0.95] O₃ ceramics has been synthesized with pure Perovskite phase by semi-wet route using the columbite precursor method. The field dependences of the dielectric response and the conductivity have been measured in a frequency range from 50 Hz to 1 MHz and in a temperature range from 303 K to 773 K. An analysis of the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric permittivity with frequency has been performed, assuming a distribution of relaxation times. The scaling behavior of the dielectric loss spectra suggests that the distribution of the relaxation times is temperature independent. The SEM photographs of the sintered specimens present the homogenous structures and well-grown grains with a sharp grain boundary. The material exhibits tetragonal structure. When measured at frequency (100 Hz), the polarization shows a strong field dependence. Different piezoelectric figures of merit (k_p, d₃₃ and Q_m) of the material have also been measured obtaining their values as 0.53, 271 pC/N and 1115, respectively, which are even higher than those of pure PZT with morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) composition. Thus the present ceramics have the optimal overall performance and are promising candidates for the various high power piezoelectric applications.     

Dielectric relaxation study of dipropylsulfoxide/water mixtures

The complex dielectric spectra of dipropylsulfoxide (DPSO)/water mixtures in the whole concentration range have been measured as a function of frequency between 100 MHz and 20 GHz at four temperatures between 298.15 K and 328.15 K. The dielectric parameters, static dielectric constant (ε_s), relaxation time (τ) and relaxation strength (Δε) have been obtained by the least squares fit method. The relaxation in these mixtures can be described by two Debye functions, whereas for pure DPSO Cole-Davidson type is valid. The relaxation times of the mixtures show a maximum at about x(DPSO) ≈ 0.3. In the concentration range where a maximum appears, the interaction of DPSO with water is presumably the result of hydrogen bonding between water and the sulfonyl group of the sulfoxide molecule. The concentration and temperature dependent excess dielectric constant and effective Kirkwood correlation factor of the binary mixtures have been determined. The excess permittivity is found to be negative for all concentrations.     

Crystal structure,NMR study,dielectric relaxation and AC conductivity of a new compound [Cd3(SCN)2Br6(C2H9N2)2]n

The crystal structure, the ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and the complex impedance have been carried out on [Cd₃(SCN)₂Br₆(C₂H₉N₂)₂]_n. Crystal structure shows a 2D polymeric network built up of two crystallographically independent cadmium atoms with two different octahedral coordinations. This compound exhibits a phase transition at (T=355±2 K) which has been characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-rays powder diffraction, AC conductivity and dielectric measurements. Examination of ¹³C CP/MAS line shapes shows indirect spin–spin coupling (¹⁴N and ¹³C) with a dipolar coupling constant of 1339 Hz. The AC conductivity of this compound has been carried out in the temperature range 325–376 K and the frequency range from 10⁻² Hz to 10 MHz. The impedance data were well fitted to two equivalent electrical circuits. The results of the modulus study reveal the presence of two distinct relaxation processes. One, at low frequency side, is thermally activated due to the ionic conduction of the crystal and the other, at higher frequency side, gradually disappears when temperature reaches 355 K which is attributed to the localized dipoles in the crystal. Moreover, the temperature dependence of DC-conductivity in both phases follows the Arrhenius law and the frequency dependence of σ(ω,T) follows Jonscher's universal law. The near values of activation energies obtained from the conductivity data and impedance confirm that the transport is through the ion hopping mechanism.     

Spectral,Optical and Mechanical studies on pure and thiourea doped ammonium di-hydrogen phosphate NLO single crystals

Pure and thiourea substituted single crystals of ammonium di-hydrogen phosphate have been grown from aqueous solution by isothermal solvent evaporation technique. Doped crystal exhibits prominent changes in physical and chemical properties. Single crystal XRD analyses of the samples are carried out and the results are compared. FTIR and UV–vis–NIR spectral analyses have been employed to identify the presence of various functional groups and the UV cut-off range in the grown crystals. Density measurements have been made and Photoconductivity studies revealed the negative photo conducting nature. Hardness measurement shows that the mechanical strength of the doped crystal is high when compared to pure ammonium di-hydrogen phosphate. The dielectric response of the samples has been studied in the frequency range 100 Hz–5 MHz at room temperature and the results are discussed.     

Growth and characterization of pure and potassium iodide-doped zinc tris-thiourea sulphate (ZTS) single crystals

Single crystals of pure and potassium iodide (KI)-doped zinc tris-thiourea sulphate (ZTS) were grown from aqueous solutions by the slow evaporation method. The grown crystals were transparent. The lattice parameters of the grown crystals were determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The grown crystals were also characterized by recording the powder X-ray diffraction pattern and by identifying the diffracting planes. The FT-IR spectrum was recorded in the range 400-4500 cm⁻¹. Second harmonic generation (SHG) was confirmed by the Kurtz powder method. The thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) studies reveal that the materials have good thermal stability. Atomic absorption studies confirm the presence of dopant in ZTS crystals. The electrical measurements were made in the frequency range 10²-10⁶ Hz and in the temperature range 40-130 °C along a-, b- and c-directions of the grown crystals. The present study shows that the electrical parameters viz. dc conductivity, dielectric constant, dielectric loss factor and ac conductivity increase with increase in temperature. Activation energy values were also determined for the ac conduction process in grown crystals. The dc conductivity, dielectric constant, dielectric loss factor and ac conductivity of KI-doped ZTS crystal were found to be more than those of pure ZTS crystals.     

AC conductivity and dielectric relaxation in Ba(Sm1/2Nb1/2)O3 ceramic

The complex perovskite oxide a barium samarium niobate (BSN) synthesized by solid-state reaction technique has single phase with cubic structure. The scanning electron micrograph of the sample shows the average grain size of BSN∼1.22 μm. The field dependence of dielectric response and loss tangent were measured in the temperature range from 323 to 463 K and in the frequency range from 50 Hz to 1 MHz. The complex plane impedance plots show the grain boundary contribution for higher value of dielectric constant in the low frequency region. An analysis of the dielectric constant (ε′) and loss tangent (tan δ) with frequency was performed assuming a distribution of relaxation times as confirmed by the scaling behaviour of electric modulus spectra. The low frequency dielectric dispersion corresponds to DC conductivity. The logarithmic angular frequency dependence of the loss peak is found to obey the Arrhenius law with an activation energy of 0.71 eV. The frequency dependence of electrical data is also analyzed in the framework of conductivity and electric modulus formalisms. Both these formalisms show qualitative similarities in relaxation times. The scaling behaviour of imaginary part of electric modulus M″ and dielectric loss spectra suggest that the relaxation describes the same mechanism at various temperatures in BSN. All the observations indicate the polydispersive relaxation in BSN.     

Investigation of dielectric properties and diffraction efficiency enhancements caused by photothermal effect in DR9 dye-doped nematic liquid crystal

In this work, we studied dielectric properties and laser-induced refractive index changes originating from photothermal effects of liquid crystal material doped with Disperse Red 9 (DR9) dye. Dye concentration is arranged to be between percentages changing from 0.2 wt.% to 1 wt.% in E63 nematic liquid crystal. Nonlinear optical properties such as diffraction efficiency (η) and refractive index modulation (Δn) were investigated by diffraction grating measurements. It was found the diffraction efficiency of pure E63 nematic liquid crystal is 1%. As the doping amount of DR9 dye in nematic LC is increased, diffraction efficiency took higher values and the maximum diffraction efficiency of 10% was gained with E63 doped with 0.8 wt.%DR9 dye. Moreover, dielectric permittivity and dielectric anisotropy values of the samples were investigated in the frequency range of 100 Hz-10 MHz by using dielectric spectroscopy technique. It was observed that dielectric constant values of the liquid crystal material are strongly affected by doping with dye.