Superior fast switching of surface-stabilized liquid crystal switchable devices employing graphene dispersion

Thermotropic liquid crystal mesogens with a nematic phase are extensively used for display devices. For a material to be exploited in devices, the alignment of molecules with an external field is very essential. Furthermore, the strength of the applied stimulus must be minimal. Though these are achieved to some extent by ferroelectric liquid crystals, there is still scope for the improvement of these properties. When dispersed into a liquid crystal matrix, carbon nanotubes have impressive results. Mostly, the experimentation is done in the nematic phase where the orientation of the molecules with respect to the external stimulus is accomplished by CNT. The physical, thermal, chemical, and electrical properties of these CNT-doped mesogens are dramatically altered in such a way that the CNT-doped mesogen can be readily used for device application. Data on CNT-dispersed hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals are meager in the literature, and this chapter will fill the void in this field. Some methods of the synthesis and design of hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals are elaborated. Syntheses of graphene along with different characterizations of these materials are discussed. Techniques for the dispersion of carbon wall nanotubes into a liquid crystal matrix are discussed.