Influence of gold nanorods on the structure and photonic bandgap in a twist grain boundary phase with smectic C* blocks

Impact of Photoisomerization on the One-Dimensional Fluid and Three-Dimensional Abrikosov-like Photonic Structures of Liquid Crystals

“…This indicates that at T red2 = −1.5 °C, I UV = 0.2 mW/cm 2 is not enough to drive the system to the Ch phase, a point in accordance with the I UV versus Δ T phase diagram, as shown in Figure . The temporal variation of d G mimics its temperature dependence across the thermally driven TGBC* to Ch transition like the ones that we reported in a recent publication . However, it is interesting to note that the critical divergence region is hardly seen in the temperature-dependent data but can be better mapped with the temporal data, which is possible only with the photodriven method.…”

“…The influence of photoisomerization and the consequent transformation from the TGBC* into the Ch phase is easily visualized through representative elapsed time polarizing optical microscopy (POM) images obtained after turning the UV ON (Figure a–d) and subsequently switching it OFF (Figure e–h). The progression between the square grid to the oily streak texture change seen for this isothermal transformation is typical and well documented for thermally driven phase transitions. ,, The important point to note is that after TBR is complete, the original texture is recovered. Videos representing this photodriven transition, followed by the thermal back relaxation, are shown in the Supporting Information.…”

Experimental Advances in Nanoparticle-Driven Stabilization of Liquid-Crystalline Blue Phases and Twist-Grain Boundary Phases

“…This generates an emerging need for complemental molecular simulations in order to uncover the favorable NP configurations along the cores of defects. At the same time, not only do NPs trapped within LC lattices increase the stability range of certain liquid-crystalline phases, but they also selectively tune the photonic bandgap of the LC hosts [36,103]. Thus, we anticipate that the ongoing research on NP-driven stabilization of LC phases, through the assembly of the former in the defect lattices of the latter, will provide further insight into aspects in fundamental physics and lead to novel technological applications.…”

“…Nevertheless, for essentially larger sheets sizes, such as the ones in µm scale used in other studies [99], a preferable assembly along the surfaces of the grain boundaries cannot be excluded. Regarding using other types of NP geometries, a recent study by Sahoo et al [103] reports the TGB C * phase stabilization by a small concentration of dispersed Au nanorods. The NP-driven BP stabilization gives an apparently milder effect compared to the case of polymers.…”

“…A clear advantage of NP-driven BP stabilization is that by selecting appropriate types of NPs, one can tune the electro-optical properties (Kerr effect, driving voltage) of the nanocomposite, as demonstrated for BaTiO 3 [58] and graphene nanosheets [104]. In the case of TGBs, the effect of Au nanorods on the LC material's structural and photonic bandgap has also been reported [103]. The optimization of the aforementioned properties is of major importance towards potential applications in display technologies.…”