Light sensitive achiral polar polymeric composites

Abstract The occurrence of antiferroelectric phenomenon in achiral composites composed of azo-benzene containing liquid crystals was observed. Some of the composites evidenced typical antiferroelectric polarization hysteresis loop in the mesophase, showing bilayer smectic C 2 mesophases with some interdigitation grade at the layer interface in a broad temperature range. Surprisingly composites of similar structure developed pyroelectricity but not switchable states. This new class of antiferroelectric materials is also capable of producing E–Z photoisomerization making them good candidates for energy harvesting.