Controlled Nanoparticle Targeting and Nanoparticle-Driven Nematic Structural Transition. (15th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dubtsov, A. V.; Pasechnik, S. V.; Shmeliova, D. V.; Kralj, S.; Repnik, R.
• Other Names: Smalyukh Ivan Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Advances in condensed matter physics. Volume 2015(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-02-15
• Subjects: Condensed matter -- Periodicals; Condensed matter; Periodicals; 530.41
• DOI: 10.1155/2015/803480
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-8124

Abstract

Abstract : We study experimentally and theoretically controlled targeting of specific nanoparticles (NPs) to different regions within nematic liquid crystal. Using a simple mesoscopic Landau-de Gennes-type model in terms of a tensor nematic order parameter, we demonstrate a general mechanism which could be exploited for controlled targeting of NPs within a spatially nonhomogeneous nematic texture. Furthermore, we experimentally demonstrate using polarising microscopy that even a relatively low concentration of localised appropriate NPs could trigger a nematic structural transition. A simple estimate is derived to account for the observed transition.