title: Tuning mechanical properties of liquid crystalline nanoparticles.
abstract: We report the synthesis of colloidal nanoparticles with an internal structure forming a gel-like matrix. These nanoparticles are composed of low molecular weight liquid crystal (LC) 4-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (5CB) encapsulated in an LC-based polymer network. Using nanoscopic mechanical analysis, we demonstrate the ability to independently tune the shape anisotropy and stiffness by varying, respectively, the 5CB concentration and the extent of the polymer cross-linking. Based on these data, a model is introduced to account for the effect of the polymer network on the mechanical properties, thus providing novel insight into the nanomechanics of these soft particles.
authors.affiliation: Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
authors.forename: Jing C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Stanislav
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsoi
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Spillmann
authors.forename: Jawad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Naciri
authors.forename: Banahalli
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ratna
mesh_terms: D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization; D005782:Gels; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D053758:Nanoparticles; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D005782:Gels; D011108:Polymers; C422409:liquid crystal polymer