A new era for liquid crystal research: Applications of liquid crystals in soft matter nano-, bio- and microtechnology

Lagerwall, Jan P. F.; Scalia, Giusy

doi:10.1016/j.cap.2012.03.019

Cited by 646 publications

(380 citation statements)

References 328 publications

(145 reference statements)

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“…The chiral nematic-also called cholesteric-phase is characterized by long-range orientational order of the nanorods combined with a helical modulation of the direction in which they align 19,20 (see Supplementary Box 1 for more details). The local alignment orientation is referred to as the director.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cellulose nanocrystal-based materials: from liquid crystal self-assembly and glass formation to multifunctional thin films

et al. 2014

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Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), produced by the acid hydrolysis of wood, cotton or other cellulose-rich sources, constitute a renewable nanosized raw material with a broad range of envisaged uses: for example, in composites, cosmetics and medical devices. The intriguing ability of CNCs to self-organize into a chiral nematic (cholesteric) liquid crystal phase with a helical arrangement has attracted significant interest, resulting in much research effort, as this arrangement gives dried CNC films a photonic band gap. The films thus acquire attractive optical properties, creating possibilities for use in applications such as security papers and mirrorless lasing. In this critical review, we discuss the sensitive balance between glass formation and liquid crystal self-assembly that governs the formation of the desired helical structure. We show that several as yet unclarified observations-some constituting severe obstacles for applications of CNCs-may result from competition between the two phenomena. Moreover, by comparison with the corresponding self-assembly processes of other rod-like nanoparticles, for example, carbon nanotubes and fd virus particles, we outline how further liquid crystal ordering phenomena may be expected from CNCs if the suspension parameters can be better controlled. Alternative interpretations of some unexpected phenomena are provided, and topics for future research are identified, as are new potential application strategies. NPG Asia Materials (2014) 6, e80; doi:10.1038/am.2013.69; published online 10 January 2014Keywords: cholesteric; gel; glass; liquid crystal; nanocellulose; photonic crystal; self-assembly INTRODUCTION Nanomaterials based on renewable resources are attracting rapidly growing interest, both from a fundamental scientific point of view and from the perspective of developing novel structural and functional macroscopic materials. 1,2 Using nature-based nanomaterials offers ecological advantages, and the extraordinary mechanical performance and/or photonic crystal character of biological composites such as bone, nacre, wood, beetle scales and butterfly wings is also an important inspiration for the development of new multifunctional materials. [3][4][5] However, full utilization of the intrinsic properties of nanosized starting materials requires the development of robust and versatile synthetic and processing routes to control assembly over several length scales. [6][7][8] Cellulose, one of the most versatile and widely found biopolymers in nature, has been used by humans for millennia as a building material, an energy source, a component of clothing and for storing and sharing knowledge and culture. Today, cellulose materials are used in a wide range of applications, and the paper and pulp industry

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cellulose nanocrystal-based materials: from liquid crystal self-assembly and glass formation to multifunctional thin films

et al. 2014

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“…in the field of optical metamaterials and more generally of novel functional materials with hybrid properties [24][25][26][27].…”

Section: Mesogensmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phase Organization of Mesogen-Decorated Spherical Nanoparticles

Orlandi

Zannoni

2013

Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals

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“…The main goal is to enhance performance of existing liquid crystal technologies, and to add functionality to be able to develop technologies beyond flat panel displays, spatial light modulators, or optical switches and shutters. Including additional functionality into the selforganized liquid crystal systems opens the huge possibility of novel hybrid materials [2], for example in photonic and sensor applications, but also to study fundamental effects such as pattern formation and induced ordering in anisotropic media [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…10. In this case it is: cos(2 1+2 2)=-cos (2 ). As a result the total quadrupole-quadrupole interaction energy per segments can be written in the form:…”

Section: Simple Theoretical Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ordering of ferromagnetic nanoparticles in nematic liquid crystals

et al. 2017

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Dispersions of magnetic nanoparticles in a nematic liquid crystal were investigated as magnetic fields were applied in three different boundary condition geometries: (i) planar substrates and B n, (ii) planar substrates and B n, and (iii) homeotropic substrates and B n. Particle chaining is observed when a magnetic field is applied, with a periodicity perpendicular to the chains.Furthermore, linear chains are observed for the magnetic field applied perpendicular to the director, while zigzag chains are formed when the magnetic field direction is parallel to the director field. This is attributed to a change from a dipolar defect configuration around dispersed nanoparticles, to a quadrupolar one, i.e. the change from satellite to Saturn-ring defects. This effect is largely independent of the sample thickness. The dynamic development of the chain length, as well as their two-dimensional order parameter was studied in all cases. Chain lengths increased rapidly until saturation at approximately l=30 m after a time of about t=10s. Similarly, the chain order parameters increased until saturation between S=0.8-0.9, independent of sample geometry.

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A new era for liquid crystal research: Applications of liquid crystals in soft matter nano-, bio- and microtechnology

Cited by 646 publications

References 328 publications

Cellulose nanocrystal-based materials: from liquid crystal self-assembly and glass formation to multifunctional thin films

Cellulose nanocrystal-based materials: from liquid crystal self-assembly and glass formation to multifunctional thin films

Phase Organization of Mesogen-Decorated Spherical Nanoparticles

Ordering of ferromagnetic nanoparticles in nematic liquid crystals

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