Silver nanoparticles dispersed in nematic liquid crystal: an impact on dielectric and electro-optical parameters

Abstract

In the present study, nematic liquid crystal (NLC) 4′-(Octyloxy)-4-biphenylcarbonitrile dispersed with three different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) is characterized by electro-optical and dielectric spectroscopy method. The dispersion of Ag NPs into NLC material leads to the change in physical parameters such as dielectric permittivity, photoluminescence, threshold voltage, response time and splay elastic constant. The AC conductivity and threshold voltage of Ag NPs-dispersed composite system have increased significantly. The increase in the AC conductivity for the composite system is attributed to the Ag NPs-assisted induced charge transfer mechanism in the system. Moreover, the increase in AC conductivity value for Ag NPs/NLC composite system discloses its importance in photovoltaic solar cell.