Methyl red dye-doped nematic liquid crystal: advancement in electro-optical and dielectric materials for energy-efficient applications
摘要
This study presents a systematic investigation into the doping of nematic liquid crystal, ZLI-3741 with methyl red crystals (MR dye), aimed at enhancing dielectric and electro-optical performance for energy-efficient applications. The π-conjugated structure of MR dye facilitates strong intermolecular interactions, leading to improved polarization, conductivity, and light modulation. Varying MR concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 wt%) induce notable changes in molecular alignment, confirmed by uniformly planar textures and stable orientation under polarized optical microscopy. Dielectric permittivity increases by 18.75%, while threshold voltage decreases by 13.36%, indicating reduced energy input for switching operations. A refined response time of 10.43% further supports rapid adaptability in dynamic optical systems. Enhanced transmittance spectra reveal superior optical clarity and contrast, reinforcing the material’s suitability for high-performance display technologies. Collectively, these improvements position MR-doped NLCs as promising candidates for next-generation photonic devices, energy storage platforms, and advanced electro-optical systems requiring fast, stable, and low-power operation.