Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
12:21
Preparation of Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Liquid Crystal Elastomer Nanocomposites
Published on: February 6, 2016
12.5K
Mutually ordered self-assembly of discotic liquid crystal-graphene nanocomposites
Avinash B Shivanandareddy1, Suvratha Krishnamurthy, V Lakshminarayanan
1Raman Research Institute, C.V. Raman Avenue, Sadashivanagar, Bangalore, 560080, India. skumar@rri.res.in.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|November 30, 2013
Summary
Room temperature anthraquinone discotic (RTAQ) molecules self-assemble with functionalized graphene (f-graphene) into ordered columnar structures. This creates a sandwich-like nanocomposite with potential electronic applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Organic Electronics
Background:
- Anthraquinone discotic molecules exhibit self-assembly properties.
- Functionalized graphene (f-graphene) serves as a substrate for molecular organization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the self-assembly of RTAQ on f-graphene.
- To characterize the resulting ordered nanocomposite structure.
Main Methods:
- Cryo-SEM and SEM imaging for structural analysis.
- Polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction.
- Conductivity studies of the RTAQ/f-graphene nanocomposite.
Main Results:
- RTAQ forms ordered columnar structures on f-graphene sheets.
- A sandwich-like nanocomposite structure was observed.
- Evidence of ordering supported by multiple characterization techniques.
Conclusions:
- RTAQ and f-graphene form an ordered nanocomposite at room temperature.
- The self-assembly leads to columnar organization of discotic molecules on graphene.
- The findings suggest potential for applications in organic electronics.
