Synthesis and electrorheological effects of side-chain polysiloxane-based dual frequency liquid crystals

Abstract

The viscosity of ER fluids is reversibly changed by an electric field. ER fluids comprised of liquid crystals (LCs) have poor response under a DC electric field especially in the turn-off process. The molecular orientation of dual frequency liquid crystals (DFLCs) can be controlled according to the frequency of an applied AC electric field. The purpose of this study is to improve the response time of the ER fluids by using DFLCs. We synthesize side-chain polysiloxane LCs in which mesogenic groups are attached to a linear siloxane having seven reaction sites. This study reports the improved ER effects by using the obtained DFLCs.