Electrically induced storage effects in smectic A phase of dyed low molar mass siloxane liquid crystals

A newly synthesized low molar mass liquid crystal having a flexible mesogenic group attached to methylene siloxane exhibiting smectic A phase has been used as a host for 2% (wt./wt.) dichroic dyes. The electro-optic properties of these guest–host mixtures have been studied as a function of temperature, frequency and the applied voltage. At low frequency (≲1 Hz), turbulent scattering texture was induced influenced by conduction mechanism. This texture was transformed to a clear homeotropic state due to dielectric reorientation of the smectic molecules at high frequency (>2 kHz). These materials have shown storage effects similar to monomeric and polymer smectogens. The effects of dichroic dyes on the electro-optic performances have been discussed. These systems are expected to prove functional materials for electronic displays.