Aligned Layers of Silver Nano-Fibers

Materials (Basel). 2012 Feb 1;5(2):239-247. doi: 10.3390/ma5020239.

Abstract

We describe a new dichroic polarizers made by ordering silver nano-fibers to aligned layers. The aligned layers consist of nano-fibers and self-assembled molecular aggregates of lyotropic liquid crystals. Unidirectional alignment of the layers is achieved by means of mechanical shearing. Aligned layers of silver nano-fibers are partially transparent to a linearly polarized electromagnetic radiation. The unidirectional alignment and density of the silver nano-fibers determine degree of polarization of transmitted light. The aligned layers of silver nano-fibers might be used in optics, microwave applications, and organic electronics.

Keywords: aligned layers; degree of polarization; dichroic polarizers; dichroic ratio; lyotropic liquid crystals; metal nano-fibers.