CHARACTERIZATION OF NANO-DOPED LIQUID CRYSTALS BY X-RAY DIFFRACTION, SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE AND OPTICAL COLORIMETRY

Abstract

In this paper, the self-assembling nature of nano-doped liquid crystals is characterized using different techniques. Liquid crystals, namely 4, n-alkoxybenzoic acid (nOBA, where n = 7,8), doped with magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4 of size 20nm) are considered for the present study. The structural and morphological properties of nano-doped liquid crystals are determined by the techniques of X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Morphological properties like grains, grain boundaries, and crystal defects are elucidated using the scanning electron microscope technique. Structural properties such as crystal structure, grain size, inter-atomic spacing, lattice constant, and dislocation density are determined using X-ray diffraction studies. The characteristics measured from the X-ray diffraction studies are correlated using the statistical analysis of Scanning electron microscope images. This is an objective analysis of X-ray diffraction studies. In addition to these techniques, colorimetric studies of optical anisotropic liquid crystals are carried out by measuring the chromaticity coordinates and color purity. This study utilizes the polarizing optical microscope technique. Furthermore, the influence of nano dopants on the characteristics of liquid crystals with carbon chain length is also discussed.