Topological defects around a spherical nanoparticle in nematic liquid crystal: coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations.

Abstract

We consider the applicability of coarse-grained molecular dynamics for the simulation of defects in a nematic liquid crystal around a colloidal particle. Two types of colloids are considered, a soft colloid resembling a liquid crystal dendrimer or a similar macromolecule. In addition, a decorated colloid is used which could represent a gold nanoparticle with mesogen-modified surface. For both models we consider homeotropic and tangential anchoring. Precise control of the easy axis on the colloid's surface enables us to focus on specific planar arrangements in the case of a decorated colloid. The nematic phase is modelled explicitly via soft spherocylinders interacting through a potential, suggested by Lintuvuori and Wilson [J. Chem. Phys. 128, 044906 (2008)]. Properties of the nematic phase are studied by computing the Frank elastic constants. In addition, estimates for the nematic-isotropic transition and the coherence length allow us to establish a relation between energy and length scales with respect to experimental systems. Both models exhibit similar defect topologies, namely, that of a Saturn ring and a boojum-type of defect for homeotropic and tangential surface anchoring, respectively. In the decorated colloid model we tune the anchoring strength through the density of the mesogenic shell on the surface. We also found the biaxial boojum defect for the special case of longitudinal planar anchoring. The study demonstrates the potential of coarse-grained simulation methods for studying defects in liquid crystals.