Characterization of the mesomorphic properties of synthesized castor oil-based cholesteric ester and nematic E48 mixtures
Abstract
Commercially available cholesteric liquid crystals are expensive, therefore there is a need to look for sources of liquid crystals which are cheap and locally available. Majority of cholesteryl esters are derived from fatty acids reacted with cholesterol in which a common source are plant oils like coconut. Liquid crystalline properties of esters from coconut have been successfully studied.
Using the same reaction and extraction techniques done in coco-based cholesteryl ester, this study aims to determine the liquid crystalline properties of cholesteryl ester extracted from castor oil and the optical properties as chiral dopant in nematic E48.