Abstract
We study rheology, microstructure, and response to an applied electric field (E) in suspensions of fumed alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles in a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) made of N-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-4-butylaniline (MBBA). Fumed Al2O3/MBBA suspensions exhibit flowability with nanoparticle volume fraction (ϕ) = 0.001 and 0.007, and become solid-like gels at a nanoparticle ϕ = 0.014 and beyond. The dynamic rheology of gel-like suspensions follows the soft glass rheology (SGR) model. The effective noise temperature remains close to 1 for these Al2O3/MBBA suspensions, which serves as an indication of the presence of glassy dynamics. Further, the optical microscopy and the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) reveal that the incorporation of fumed Al2O3 nanoparticles causes a significant depression in the nematic-isotropic phase transition temperature (TNI). The gel-like suspensions are less sensitive to pre-shear and show a large structural recovery after shear when compared to Al2O3/silicone oil suspensions. At and above a critical nanoparticle ϕ = 0.005, the suspensions exhibit a reversible nematic-isotropic phase transition under the application of E.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
