Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) enriched polymer network for highly-enhanced electro-optic performance of a liquid crystalline blue phase

Abstract

The excellent physical and chemical properties of graphene have been extensively studied for both scientific interest and novel applications in devices, such as organic photovoltaics, fuel cells, biosensors, and display devices. One of its excellent two-dimensional electric properties is its high electron transporting capability which gives enormous possibility for the performance enhancement of numerous electronic devices. Herein, we demonstrate the record-breaking electro-optic performance of a polymer-stabilized liquid crystalline blue phase using a reduced graphene oxide (RGO) enriched polymer network, which not only enhances the conductivity in the system but also provides counter-benzene-rings to liquid crystalline molecules for strong π–π interaction. It reduces the operation voltage (∼32%), response time (∼51%) and hysteresis (∼53%) compared to that of a conventional polymer-stabilized BPLC, and thereby possibly contributes to novel electro-optic device applications.