Cholesteric liquid crystal devices with nanoparticle aggregation

Opt Express. 2010 Oct 11;18(21):22572-7. doi: 10.1364/OE.18.022572.

Abstract

A broadband cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) device with a multi-domain structure is demonstrated by using an aggregation of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles in the CLC layer. The aggregation pattern of the self-assembled POSS nanoparticles depends on the concentration of POSS doped in the mixture of POSS/CLC and the cooling rate of the mixture from a temperature higher than the clear point. POSS-induced changes in the bulk and surface properties of the cholesteric cells, such as a promotion of homeotropic alignment, help to form a cholesteric structure with a broadband reflection of light; the latter can be used for improvement of bistable CLC devices. A higher POSS concentration and a higher cooling rate both improve the appearance of the black-white CLC device.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Equipment Design
  • Esters / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen / chemistry
  • Kinetics
  • Liquid Crystals / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Methacrylates / chemistry*
  • Models, Chemical
  • Nanoparticles
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Optics and Photonics
  • Organosilicon Compounds / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Esters
  • Methacrylates
  • Organosilicon Compounds
  • Polymers
  • polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane methacrylate
  • Hydrogen