Physics of colloidal dispersions in nematic liquid crystals

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

139

Scientific paper

This article reviews the physics of colloidal dispersions in nematic liquid crystals as a novel challenging type of soft matter. We first investigate the nematic environment of one particle with a radial anchoring of the director at its surface. Three possible structures are identified and discussed in detail; the dipole, the Saturn-ring and the surface-ring configuration. Secondly, we address dipolar and quadrupolar two-particle interactions with the help of a phenomenological theory. Thirdly, we calculate the anisotropic Stokes drag of a particle in a nematic environment which determines the Brownian motion of particles via the Stokes-Einstein relation. We then turn our interest towards colloidal dispersions in complex geometries where we identify the dipolar configuration and study its formation. Finally, we demonstrate that surface-induced nematic order above the nematic-isotropic phase transition results in a strongly attractive but short-range two-particle interaction. Its strength can be controlled by temperature and thereby induce flocculation in an otherwise stabilized dispersion.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Physics of colloidal dispersions in nematic liquid crystals does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Physics of colloidal dispersions in nematic liquid crystals, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Physics of colloidal dispersions in nematic liquid crystals will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1007207

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.