Thermodynamically stable dispersions of quantum dots in a nematic liquid crystal

Langmuir. 2013 Jul 30;29(30):9301-9. doi: 10.1021/la401475b. Epub 2013 Jul 16.

Abstract

Using transmittance electron microscopy, fluorescence and polarizing optical microscopy, optical spectroscopy, and fluorescent correlation spectroscopy, it was shown that CdSe/ZnS quantum dots coated with a specifically designed surfactant were readily dispersed in nematic liquid crystal (LC) to form stable colloids. The mixture of an alkyl phosphonate and a dendritic surfactant, where the constituent molecules contain promesogenic units, enabled the formation of thermodynamically stable colloids that were stable for at least 1 year. Stable colloids are formed due to minimization of the distortion of the LC ordering around the quantum dots.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemistry*
  • Cadmium Compounds / chemistry
  • Liquid Crystals / chemistry*
  • Nitriles / chemistry*
  • Quantum Dots*
  • Selenium Compounds / chemistry
  • Sulfides / chemistry
  • Thermodynamics
  • Zinc Compounds / chemistry

Substances

  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Cadmium Compounds
  • Nitriles
  • Selenium Compounds
  • Sulfides
  • Zinc Compounds
  • 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl
  • cadmium selenide
  • zinc sulfide