Fast switching response and dielectric behaviour of fullerene/ferroelectric liquid crystal nanocolloids

The electro-optical and dielectric responses of the fullerenes C-60-doped ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) nanocolloids are reported. Order parameter and phase transition temperature remain invariant as a function of varying dopant concentration (0.10wt% to 0.50wt%). Faster switching response of nanocolloids comparing to that of the non-doped FLC is manifested by increase in the localised electric field (around 76% increment for 0.50wt%), while reduction in the spontaneous polarisation could be the result of anti-parallel correlation amid dopant and FLC dipoles. Decrease in dielectric constant, absorption strength, dielectric strength and rotational viscosity of FLC nanocolloids than that of non-doped FLC is the other consequence of C-60 doping. Goldstone-mode relaxation frequency is found to be increased with increasing doping concentration of C-60 in FLC.