Fast responding robust nematic liquid crystalline gels formed by a monodisperse dipeptide: electro-optic and rheological studies.
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.
Centre for Liquid Crystal Research, Jalahalli, Bangalore 560013, India.
Geetha G
GG
Nair
S
S
Krishna Prasad
V
V
Jayalakshmi
G
G
Shanker
C V
CV
Yelamaggad
D004151:Dipeptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005782:Gels; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry*; D019563:Mechanics; D012212:Rheology; D013997:Time Factors; D014783:Viscosity
D004151:Dipeptides; D005782:Gels