XRD and dielectric studies of the ferroelectric SmC* phase with a high concentration of ferroelectric nanoparticles

We have shown the influence of high concentrations of barium titanate ferroelectric nanoparticles (1, 5, 10 wt%) on the phase transition temperatures, smectic layer thickness, and molecular dynamics of ferroelectric liquid crystal. Based on XRD studies, it was shown that the layer thickness behaves in the same way for doped and undoped samples, and no correlation with the concentration of dopant was found. Dielectric studies revealed three dielectric processes for all materials studied: Maxwell-Wagner-Sillar, Goldstone mode, and ionic process. The weakening of the ionic process after doping is the result of the trapping of free ions by the dopant. In turn, the GM does not significantly change after doping, which leads to the conclusion that the reorientation of liquid crystalline molecules in the presence of nanoparticles is not much disturbed. • High concentration of ferroelectric NPs has no influence on the transition temperature of FLC. • Layer thickness does not change after doping with a high concentration of ferroelectric NPs. • Goldstone mode is not disturbed by doping with a high concentration of ferroelectric NPs. • Specific electric conductivity decreases after doping due to the capture of free ions present in FLC.