Comparative AFM measurements on an oligomeric liquid crystal filled with hydrophilic or hydrophobic aerosil

Abstract

In a matrix of an oligomeric liquid crystal hydrophilic aerosil particles form agglomerates of about 1 (mu) length which consist of aggregates with a diameter of about 150 nm, observed by AFM. In the same matrix, but with hydrophobic aerosil, smaller aggregates with a length-to-breadth ratio 100 nm/60 nm appear. In thicker areas of both samples after heating to clearing temperature and cooling down the cholesteric fingerprint texture occurs, where the lower pitch is observed for the sample containing the hydrophilic aerosil.