Optimization of the display parameters of a room temperature twisted nematic display material by doping single-wall carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been doped in the nematic matrix of a room temperature liquid crystalline material 4-(trans-4'-n-hexylcyclohexyl)isothiocyanatobenzene (6CHBT). Effect of SWCNTs doping on various display parameters, namely, threshold voltage, dielectric anisotropy, and splay elastic constant has been studied using electro-optical and dielectric spectroscopy. The nematic phase supports alignment of SWCNTs parallel to the nematic director. On the other hand, the presence of SWCNTs improves local orientational ordering of molecules in the nematic phase. Consequently, the threshold voltage required to switch the molecules from planar (bright state) to homeotropic (dark state) configuration is substantially reduced in the presence of the SWCNTs.