Electronic and ionic ambipolar transports in the isotropic, SmA, SmB and crystalline phases of a liquid crystal

Photo-carrier transport process and mobility in the different phases including crystalline and isotropic phases of a liquid crystalline photoconductor material from the 2-phenylnaphthalene derivative, 2-(4’-octylphenyl)-6-dodecyloxynaphthalene (8-PNP-O12) was re-investigated as function of electric field and temperature by using time of flight (TOF) transient photocurrent technique. Charge carrier transport is discussed in different phases from the measurement of the transient photocurrent. In the mesophases, experimental data, in agreement with previous results, highlight electronic and ionic conductions. Moreover, were revealed electronic transport in isotropic phase of a liquid crystalline material and crystalline phase of this compound.