Original magnetic alignment of a nematic phase containing single-walled nanotubes.
Dispersions of single-walled carbon nanotubes in a 4-pentyl-4'-cyano-biphenyl nematic liquid crystal matrix are studied by X-ray scattering. For some mixtures, the addition of nanotubes strongly modifies the properties of the matrix: under a magnetic field, the nematic director is aligned perpendicular to the field, whereas it is parallel to it for pure 4-pentyl-4'-cyano-biphenyl. This original modification of liquid crystal alignment by the addition of nanotubes raises new questions about nanotubes and liquid crystal interactions.
Da Cruz
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Laboratoire de Physique des Solides (UMR CNRS 8502), Université Paris Sud, 91 405 Orsay, France.
Launois
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Veber
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M
D016880:Anisotropy; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009038:Motion; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009570:Nitriles / Q000737:chemistry*; D044367:Phase Transition
D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D003102:Colloids; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D009570:Nitriles; C433919:4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl