Remarks on (super-)accelerating cosmological models in general scalar-tensor gravity

Abstract: We consider Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker cosmological models in the framework of general scalar-tensor theories of gravity (STG) with arbitrary coupling functions, set in the Jordan frame. First we describe the general properties of the phase space in the case of barotropic matter fluid and scalar field potential for any spatial curvature (flat, spherical, hyperbolic). Then we address the question under which conditions epochs of accelerated and super-accelerated expansion are possible in STG. For flat models filled with dust matter (and vanishing potential) we give a necessary condition on the coupling function of the scalar field which must be satisfied to allow acceleration and super-acceleration. This is illustrated by a specific example.