Ferroelectric Properties of a Fast Switching Cyclic Siloxane Oligomer

摘要

The synthesis and properties of a novel ferroelectric cyclic siloxane oligomer are reported. The properties of the oligomer are compared to those of a linear siloxane polymer and its unattached side group consisting of the same mesogenic moiety as the cyclic siloxane oligomer. The ferroelectric and electroclinic response times as well as the tilt angles of the cyclic material are found to be similar to those of the monomer while the spontaneous polarization is comparable to that of the linear siloxane polymer. These studies constitute the first detailed comparison of the ferroelectric properties of cyclic and linear siloxane polymers.