Dielectric Studies on a Bent-Core Liquid Crystal Taken in Cells Fabricated with ITO Substrates Functionalized with Bent-Core Molecules

Bent-core liquid crystals (BCLCs) have high potential for device applications. However, efficient strategies for aligning them on suitable substrates, which is a necessary prerequisite, are limited. We have recently reported investigations on the alignment of BCLCs on indium tin oxide substrates chemically modified with BC compounds containing a dimethylchlorosilane moiety located either at the end of a terminal alkyl chain (BC-t) or a lateral alkyl chain (BC-l). We now report dielectric studies carried out to test the suitability of these substrates for quantitative studies, using the BCLC, C1Pbis-12BB. Comparisons made with Instec cells exhibiting homeotropic and planar alignment show that temperature and frequency-dependent responses exhibit typical trends expected of BCLCs and that BC-t substrates yield better alignment. Further, it is found that the BC molecules used for functionalizing the substrates do not affect the dielectric properties of the sample BCLC, showing that these substrates are stable and well-suited for device applications.