Arrangement of chromonic liquid crystals near hydrophobic and hydrophillic surfaces

Abstract

The possibility of utilizing the lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystal (LCLC) in the detection of the biological cells, such as bacteria, virus etc. and biological macromolecules like protein, DNA etc. have attracted a number of researchers in recent time. The organization of the LCLC near surfaces is important to explore these applications. We have explored the time-dependent effects of surface re-arrangements of LCLCs (disodium chromo glycate (DSCG) and Sunset Yellow (SSY)) using the polarized microscope. It is found that the initial arrangement of DSCG and SSY depends on the hydrophobicity of the surface. A strong hydrophobic surface leads to the homeotropic arrangements of DSCG and SSY. However, the moderately hydrophobic surface cannot give the homeotropic arrangements of LCLCs. With the passage of time, the evolved texture of the LCLCs is independent of surface hydrophobicity. The effect of surfaces on DSCG is more pronounced compared to that on SSY.