Dual frequency conductivity switching in a carbon nanotube/liquid crystal composite Original Research Article

We report dielectric and conductivity measurements on a composite of carbon nanotubes and a liquid crystal possessing dual frequency switching characteristics. The conductivity increases by two orders of magnitude with respect to that for the host liquid crystal, and achieves negligible temperature dependence. The frequency dependence of the ac conductivity is explained by the extended pair approximation model, although the exponent is slightly higher than generally seen. We demonstrate that the current through the sample can be field-driven between the two anisotropic values (170:1) by simply changing the frequency of the applied voltage, and exhibiting at least a millisecond response.