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CdSe quantum dots in chiral smectic C matrix: experimental evidence of smectic layer distortion by small and wide angle X-ray scattering and subsequent effect on electro-optical parameters |
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| Authors: | D P Singh R Visvanathan A E Duncan B Duponchel Y Boussoualem S Kumar |
| Institution: | 1. Unité de Dynamique et Structure des Matériaux Moléculaires (UDSMM), Université du Littoral C?te d’Opale, Calais, France;2. Unité de Dynamique et Structure des Matériaux Moléculaires (UDSMM), Université du Littoral C?te d’Opale, Dunkerque, France;3. Department of Physics and Soft Materials Research Center, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA;4. Unité de Dynamique et Structure des Matériaux Moléculaires (UDSMM), Université du Littoral C?te d’Opale, Dunkerque, France;5. Soft Condensed Matter Group, Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, India |
| Abstract: | CdSe quantum dots (QDs) dispersed ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) has been subjected to small and wide-angle X-ray scattering and atomic force microscopy to understand the molecular organization in chiral smectic C (SmC*) phase. SAXS indicates that the presence of QDs causes enhancement in the smectic layer separation. The smectic order parameter for neat FLC and FLC–QDs mixtures is obtained in the range of 0.6 to 0.85. Both smectic order parameter and structural tilt are found to be lesser for FLC–QDs mixtures as compared to neat FLC. The insertion of QDs in SmC* matrix causes localized smectic layer distortion in such a way that spontaneous polarization remains almost the same but the electro-optic switching of molecules becomes faster. We have outlined the superiority of FLC–QDs mixtures for electrical energy storage and their suitability in electronic devices. |
| Keywords: | Ferroelectric liquid crystal quantum dots small and wide angle X-ray scattering |