Dielectric and Light-Scattering Features of a Pseudopeptide-Polymer-Integrated\nNematic Liquid Crystal with Negative Dielectric Anisotropy

We\npresent the dielectric and light-scattering properties of a\nliquid crystal (LC) with negative dielectric anisotropy that has been\nincorporated with an amino acid-based pseudopeptide polymer. The polymer\nprecipitates in the form of micrometer-sized spheres in the negative\ndielectric anisotropy nematic liquid crystal (nLC), which serves as\na nonsolvent. Ion density, diffusion coefficient, conductivity, and\nion mobility are investigated from experimental dielectric measurement\nof the nLC, which contained pseudopeptide polymer at concentrations\nof 2.5, 5, and 7.5 wt %. The polymer’s incorporation into a\nnLC enhances the ion density, diffusion coefficient, conductivity,\nand ion mobility. The change in the ionic properties has a major impact\non the electrohydrodynamic instability (EHDI) of the LC. The incident\nlight is scattered by the chaotic turbulence state produced by the\nEHDI effect. The light-scattering characteristics of the polymer-stabilized\nLC are investigated by using direct transmission. The pseudopeptide\npolymer microsphere in the nLC significantly enhances the light-scattering\nperformance. The stated method demonstrates the fabrication of a light-scattering\ndevice utilizing LCs and a polymer without employing UV or thermal\ncuring processes. The nLC with the polymer significantly enhances\nthe light scattering in the EHDI state, provides a high contrast ratio,\nand significantly lowers the voltage needed to generate the scattering\nstate. The light-scattering characteristics of the device can be utilized\nin various electro-optic systems that rely on light scattering, such\nas projection displays, smart windows, and tunable light diffusers.