Formulation and Predicted Properties of Nematic Eutectic Mixtures of Esters

Techniques are described both for formulating new nematic liquid crystal (LC) eutectic mixtures and for calculating several of their predicted properties. Ester LC components from various structure classes are used. Emphasis is placed on obtaining mixtures which have relatively short average molecular length, and which are suitable for dynamic scattering electro-optical applications. Examples are given of binary eutectic mixtures made with LC esters of essentially the same molecular length. Selection rules are described for mixing short length components, both from homologous series and from different classes of esters. Approximate class values of birefringence, dielectric anisotropy, and viscosity are assigned to each type of ester structure, based on experimental results in selected mixtures of short molecular length. Properties of multi-component eutectic mixtures are calculated, and comparisons are shown between the predicted and the observed values of melting point, clearpoint, viscosity, dielectric anisotropy, and birefringence of new ester mixtures developed for dynamic scattering devices and displays.