Chapter 4 - Behavior of nanoparticles within liquid crystal phases

Abstract

This chapter provides a brief presentation of dilute mixtures of simple liquid crystal (LC) phases and diverse nanoparticles (NPs). A unique combination of softness, liquid behavior, and optical anisotropy introduces LCs by themselves into a wide variety of applications, in particular, in electro-optics (e.g., liquid crystal display technology). Recently, LCs have moved into the attractive provinces of nanoscience and nanotechnology, which increases complexity of resulting structures, often introducing new material properties and functionalities. Consequently, such configurations enormously widen window of possible LC-based applications. In this contribution, representative examples of different types of NPs within several types of LC configurations are presented. Dispersions of nanomaterials of various dimensions (zero, one, and two) in LCs yields either effective systems with anomalously enhanced or new material properties. Phase behavior of LCs, NPs self-assembly and alignment in liquid crystalline media, synthesis of NPs by using LCs as templates or precursors are discussed. The importance of NPs–LC synthesis and interactions to obtain desired synergetic properties is highlighted.