We studied the change of electro-optic properties of room-temperature nematic pentylcyanobiphenyl(5CB) when this liquid crystal is mixed with a small amount (∼0.5 wt.%)of polymer-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The AuNPswere spherical-shaped, witha diameter of about 12 nm, the size of the polymer-capped AuNPs was ca. 25 nm. Insteadof well pronounced stationary longitudinal domains observed in planar 5CB nematiclayers upon static electric field, hybrid longitudinal texture pattern oriented along therubbing of the cells takes place in this case in identical cells of 5CB doped with AuNPs.The micro-periodic-modulated morphology is reflected on the electro-optic responseof AuNPs/5CB nanocomposites. The effect from the nano-dopants is elucidated by detailedinvestigation (optical, thermo-optical, electrical and electro-optical macroscopicmeasurements).
Electro-Optics of Nematic/Gold Nanoparticles Composites: The Effect from Dopants
SCARAMUZZA, Nicola
2015-01-01
Abstract
We studied the change of electro-optic properties of room-temperature nematic pentylcyanobiphenyl(5CB) when this liquid crystal is mixed with a small amount (∼0.5 wt.%)of polymer-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The AuNPswere spherical-shaped, witha diameter of about 12 nm, the size of the polymer-capped AuNPs was ca. 25 nm. Insteadof well pronounced stationary longitudinal domains observed in planar 5CB nematiclayers upon static electric field, hybrid longitudinal texture pattern oriented along therubbing of the cells takes place in this case in identical cells of 5CB doped with AuNPs.The micro-periodic-modulated morphology is reflected on the electro-optic responseof AuNPs/5CB nanocomposites. The effect from the nano-dopants is elucidated by detailedinvestigation (optical, thermo-optical, electrical and electro-optical macroscopicmeasurements).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.