Liquid crystal droplets dispersed in ferroelectric copolymer of vinylidenefluoride and trifluoroethylene

Microdroplets of antiferroelectric liquid crystal 4-(1-Methylheptyloxycarbo nyl)phenyl 4'-Octyloxybiphenyl-4-carboxylate(MHPOBC) were dispersed in ferr oelectric matrix copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene (P( VDF/TrFE)) by solvent-induced phase separation. We measured spontaneous pol arization, dielectric constant and electro-optical properties of the presen t composite materials. Discussion is made on how the polarization structure of the ferroelectric matrix affects electro-optical properties of the mate rials. The polarization of the matrix polymer effectively helps the externa l field which induces optical switching of the materials.