Interaction, directed assembly and electrophoretic mobility of silica micro and nano-rods in nematic liquid crystals

Abstract

Liquid crystals (LCs) are materials those show an intermediate state known as mesophase between the isotropic liquids and regular solids. They change shape like a Ćuid but at the same time exhibit anisotropy in their optical, electrical and magnetic properties. Figure 1.1 shows a schematic representation of crystal, liquid crystal and isotropic phases, with the molecule in the shape of a rod. LCs are majorly categorized into two namely, thermotropic and lyotropic. Thermotropic liquid crystals exhibit mesophases in temperature range whereas lyotropic liquid crystals exhibit mesophase in certain temperature as well as concentration range. Depending on the