Colloid-liquid-crystal composites: An unusual soft solid

S P Meeker, Wilson Poon, J Crain, E M Terentjev

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Mixing model colloidal particles with a thermotropic nematic liquid crystal results in a soft solid with significant storage modulus (G' similar to 10(3) - 10(5) Pa). The soft solid comprises a network of particle aggregates, formed by the exclusion of particles from emergent nematic domains as the mixture is cooled below the isotropic-nematic transition. The unusually high storage modulus of the colloid-liquid-crystal composites may be due to the local frustration of nematic order within the particle aggregates. The birefringent soft solid is potentially important as a switchable electro-optical material that can be readily handled and processed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)R6083-R6086
Number of pages4
JournalPhysical review E: Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics
Volume61
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2000

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • NEMATIC EMULSIONS
  • LATEX-PARTICLES
  • FORCES
  • DISPERSION
  • DEFECTS
  • MODEL

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