Improvement in molecular ordering of ferroelectric liquid crystal by incorporating CuGaS₂/ZnS core/shell quantum dots

Electro-optic measurements reveal improved molecular ordering of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) by the presence of greener ternary CuGaS2/ZnS core/shell (CGZ) quantum dots (QDs). Experimental findings show that ternary CGZ QDs improve the anchoring of FLC which is validated by the increased primary- and secondary-order parameters (θ and Ps, respectively). The improved ordering of host FLCs is attributed to the enhanced localised charges by carrier trapping at intrinsic defect deep states in core assisted by reduced charge leakage probability, due to ZnS shell of CGZ QDs. The ternary CGZ QDs also improve photoluminescence and optical contrast of FLCs due to increase in molecular alignment. Helical nature of FLCs retained with incorporation of CGZ QDs was confirmed by pitch measurements. All these observations pointed out a way for better FLC-based display device.