Electro-Optic Properties of Liquid-Crystalline Physical Gels on Light Scattering Mode

Abstract

Physical gels of nematic liquid crystals can be easily obtained by mixing nematic liquid crystals and low molecular weight gelling agents that form self-assembled network aggregates in solvents. The resultant nematic liquid-crystalline gels show strong light scattering behavior. Electro-optic behavior of the gels in light scattering mode has been examined. Their electro-optic properties are greatly dependent on the combination of components, morphologies of microphase-separated structures, and the tormation processes of liquid-crystalline gel states.