title: Colloid-in-liquid crystal gels formed via spinodal decomposition.
abstract: We report that colloid-in-liquid crystal (CLC) gels can be formed via a two-step process that involves spinodal decomposition of a dispersion of colloidal particles in an isotropic phase of mesogens followed by nucleation of nematic domains within the colloidal network defined by the spinodal process. This pathway contrasts to previously reported routes leading to the formation of CLC gels, which have involved entanglement of defects or exclusion of particles from growing nematic domains. The new route provides the basis of simple design rules that enable control of the microstructure and dynamic mechanical properties of the gels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA. abbott@engr.wisc.edu.
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bukusoglu
authors.forename: Santanu Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: de Pablo
authors.forename: Nicholas L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Abbott
mesh_terms: D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry*; D044367:Phase Transition
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D005782:Gels