Molecular ordering of nematic liquid crystals in tubular nanopores: Tailoring of optical anisotropy at the nanoscale by polymer pore-surface grafting

Article Number
8915272
Citation
IEEE 8th International Conference on Nanomaterials: Applications and Properties, NAP: 8915272 (2018-09)
Contribution to Conference
IEEE 8th International Conference on Nanomaterials: Applications and Properties, NAP 2018 
Publisher DOI
10.1109/NAP.2018.8915272
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85076807388
The optical polarimetry technique is used to explore molecular ordering of nematic liquid crystals 5FPFFPP3 embedded in parallel cylindrical channels of alumina membranes with pore walls covered by a SE-1211 polymer film enhancing normal anchoring. A chemical film deposition from organic solution apparently results in inhomogeneous coverage with local islands on the channels walls. Accordingly, a coexistence of differently ordered LC regions (nanodomains), characterized by positive and negative anisotropy, results in a weak effective (average) optical birefringence. Repeated polymer deposition reduces the size of uncovered pore walls regions and thus leads to a strengthening of negative optical anisotropy observed in the experiments.
Schlagworte
Liquid crystals
Modulation polarimetry
Nanocofinement
Nanocomposites