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Preparation of Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Liquid Crystal Elastomer Nanocomposites
Published on: February 6, 2016
Liquid-crystalline polymer composites with CdS nanorods: structure and optical properties
Alexander A Ezhov1, Georgii A Shandryuk, Galina N Bondarenko
1A.V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, RAS, Moscow 119991, Russia.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|September 14, 2011
Summary
We developed novel cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanorods/liquid-crystal (LC) polymer nanocomposites. Mechanical deformation of the LC polymer matrix allows control over the optical properties of the CdS nanorods.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Liquid-crystal (LC) polymers offer unique structural ordering.
- Semiconductor nanostructures exhibit tunable optical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structure and photoluminescent properties of CdS nanorods within a smectic C LC polymer matrix.
- To explore the influence of mechanical deformation on these nanocomposites.
Main Methods:
- Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for structural analysis.
- Uniaxial deformation of composite films.
- Photoluminescence spectroscopy (Stokes and anti-Stokes).
Main Results:
- CdS nanorods formed homogeneous domains within the LC polymer.
- Uniaxial deformation induced long-range orientation and 1D aggregation of nanorods.
- Observed both Stokes and anti-Stokes photoluminescence (ASPL).
- ASPL mechanism attributed to thermally populated states.
Conclusions:
- Stable CdS nanorod/LC polymer nanocomposites were successfully created.
- Mechanical deformation of the LC matrix effectively controlled nanorod orientation and optical properties.
- These materials offer a novel platform for tunable optoelectronics.
