Preparation and Characterization of MEtal Particle/Liquid Crystal Nanocemposite

Abstract

The mesomorphic gold nanoballs covalently convered with a mesogenic compound (5CPnMPC), were successfully prepared. trans-(4-Pentylcyclohexyl)phenyl derivatives carrying thiol group (5CPnSH) were newly synthesized, which exhibit thermotropic liquid-crystalline behavior. 5CPnMPCs were prepared by reduction of tetrachloroaurate (III) ion with sodium borohydride in the presence of 5CPnSH. The mean diameter of 5CP7MPC was estimated by TEM measurement as about 2.0 nm. Interestingly, 5CPnMPC exhibited double melting behavior with a mesophase within particular temperature region by differential scanning calorimetry. However, 5CPnMPC showed optically isotropic state at every temperature points as evidenced by polarizing microscopy. In addition, 5CPnMPC were dispersed into low molecular liquid crystal medium (for example, 5CB). The metal particle / liquid crystal nanocomposite materials were obtained and their properties were studied.