Enhanced photoluminescence in gold nanoparticles doped ferroelectric liquid crystals

Abstract

We report the characterization and photoluminescence (PL) of newly synthesized deformed helix ferroelectric liquid crystal (DHFLC) material having short pitch and high spontaneous polarization. We observed ninefold enhancement in PL intensity in gold nanoparticles doped DHFLC material. This enhancement in the PL intensity has been attributed to the coupling of localized surface plasmon resonance from metal nanoparticles with DHFLC molecules, resulting in the increase in excitation and emission rate of the liquid crystal molecules in the localized electromagnetic field. These studies would provide a cutting edge tool in the realization of enhanced photoluminescent liquid crystal display devices. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.