In the present work TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) have been dispersed into three different nematic liquid crystals (2020, 1823A and 1550C) in different concentration. The value of the birefringence (Δn) has been calculated by the transmitted intensity method at a 632.8 nm wavelength. NLC 2020 used in the present study is a high birefringent material (Δn = 0.44), NLC 1550C is a low birefringent material (Δn = 0.067) and NLC 1823A is a mid birefringent material (Δn = 0.14). An increased value of birefringence has been found after dispersion of TiO₂ NPs in all three NLCs but this increment depends upon the concentration of the dopant material, temperature range and chemical character of the mixtures. It is suggested that this LC materials can be applicable in making of phase shifters, compensators and many more photonic devices.

In the present investigation optical, electro-optical and dielectric properties have been measured for nematic liquid crystal (NLC) material 1550C which consists of 4’-(trans, trans-4-alkylbicyclohexyl) carbonates and 4’-(4-(trans,trans-4-alkyl)-4-cyanobicyclohexane, dispersed with fluorescent dye (Benzo 2,1,3 Thiadiazole) in two different concentrations. Photoluminescence has been enhanced for a dye dispersed system which is the key finding of this investigation. UV absorbance study has also been performed and found to be increased for composite system. Enhanced birefringence after dispersion of dye into pure NLC is also a prominent result of this investigation. Relative permittivity, threshold voltage and dielectric anisotropy have also been measured and found to be increased. The outcome of the present work may be very useful in the construction of liquid crystal displays (LCDs).

The molecular dynamics of the well-known nematic liquid crystal 4-n-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl geometrically restricted in Anopore and Synpor porous membranes with various pore structure and treated by different surfactants (namely decanoic acid and lecithin) is compared. In the Anopore membrane the chosen surfactants induce the homeotropic orientation of the molecules on the walls of the cylindrical pores and observed corresponding relaxation processes (librational modes) are practically the same. The dielectric measurements of lecithin treated Synpor membranes reveals the reorientation of the molecules from planar to homeotropic on the complex multilayer structure present in their volume. The dielectric strengths of the observed two molecular processes (δ-process and librational mode) are inversed in the ratio compared to the untreated membranes. The observed differences in molecular dynamics results from the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in untreated and treated membranes and the structure of the membranes themselves.