Surface plasmon-induced variation in the properties of gold nanoparticledoped nematic liquid crystals
Book Chapter
Choudhary, A, George, TF, Li, G. (2017). Surface plasmon-induced variation in the properties of gold nanoparticledoped nematic liquid crystals
. 51-86.
Choudhary, A, George, TF, Li, G. (2017). Surface plasmon-induced variation in the properties of gold nanoparticledoped nematic liquid crystals
. 51-86.
Surface-induced self-ordering of liquid crystals (LCs) molecules in the vicinity of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) has been widely studied in the literature due to the fact that the optical, mechanical and electronic properties of both LCs and GNPs are found modulated to build the next generation of plasmonic devices. The variation in the director of a nematic LC close to the surface of GNPs leads to a change in dielectric constant of the host LC exhibiting a shift of the surface plasmon resonance peak in the UV-visible spectra of the GNP. On the other hand, the chemically-driven GNP surface induces a variation in the near-surface director of LCs around GNPs, resulting in strong anchoring of LC molecules on the GNP surface leading to a change in the properties of the LC host material. The surface plasmon resonance is found to be sensitive to the anisotropy of the host medium and size and shape of the nanoparticles. The long-range ordering in the LC director shows self-assembly of nanoparticles in the host LC medium as well. The addition of the functionalized GNPs in the LC host gives periodic stripe patterns as depicted in optical textures. The present chapter is focused basically on the variation in the properties of the host LCs and dopant GNPs. The GNP synthesis characteristics are analyzed in the context of the characterization techniques, including a discussion of the overall results.
