title: Crystallographic phase induced electro-optic properties of nanorod blend nematic liquid crystal.
abstract: Ultrasmall ZnS or PbS nanorods encapsulated in fluid-like soft organic surfactants show excellent miscibility in the nematic liquid crystal (LC ZLI-4792) host resulting in a novel soft matter type blend with enhanced electro-optic properties. The ultranarrow ZnS rods are of wurtzite phase and possess a chemical bipolarity and a net dipole moment. The centrosymmetric ultranarrow PbS rods possess a finite size and shape dependent inherent dipole moment despite their cubic rock-salt structure. When an electric field is applied, the blend aligns along the direction of the field producing a local unidirectional orientation of the rods and LC directors, and defining a unique axis for the system. The local ordering significantly affects the global ordering of the blend allowing a more rapid response of the electro-optic properties. The degree and switching speed of the blends depend upon the magnitude of dipole moments present in the dopant nanorods. We show how a non-mesogenic element designed with preferential crystallographic phase can be introduced within a LC for improvement of the switching properties of the LC blend. These types of unique blends are a model for fundamental conceptual advances in general understanding of interaction behaviour leading consequently to a significant technological advancement for superior device fabrication.
authors.affiliation: Tokyo University of Science-Yamaguchi, Liquid Crystal Institute, 1-1-1 Daigaku Dori, Onoda shi, Yamaguchi ken, 756 0884, Japan.
authors.forename: Sudarshan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kundu
authors.forename: Jonathan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Gary J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Katsuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ariga
authors.forename: Ali Hossain
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Umamahesh
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Thupakula
authors.forename: Somobrata
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Acharya