We observed that the doping of alumina nanoparticles (AL-NPs) has suppressed the undesired ionic effect in ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs). The pure and AL-NPs doped FLC cells were analysed by means of dielectric spectroscopy and electrical resistivity/conductivity measurements. Dielectric loss spectra confirmed the disappearance of the low-frequency relaxation peak, which appears due to the presence of ionic impurities in the FLC materials. The reduction of ionic effects has been attributed to the strong adsorption of ionic impurities on the surface of AL-NPs. The adsorption capability of AL-NPs has been studied with both the size and their concentration in FLC material. This study would be helpful to minimize the undesired ionic effects of LC-based display devices.

No abstract

A silver intercalated clay based HDPE nanocomposite with excellent antibacterial activity has been reported for the first time. Antibacterial silver‐clay (Ag‐MMT) synthesized in laboratory was incorporated into HDPE to prepare antibacterial HDPE/Ag‐MMT nanocomposites. Silver has been chosen as it is a powerful antimicrobial agent with additional properties such as unique optical, electrical, and thermal characteristics. The nanocomposites were fabricated through melt mixing route in a twin‐screw extruder with varying Ag‐MMT concentrations. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray diffraction studies confirmed superior dispersion of clay platelets in HDPE. Dynamic oscillatory properties and mechanical characteristics of the nanocomposites were determined to observe the effect of Ag‐MMT on HDPE. Antimicrobial testing of these nanocomposites against Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus showed excellent bioactivity (>99%) at 5 wt% Ag‐MMT. These antibacterial plastic materials have potential to replace neat HDPE products in niche areas where antimicrobial property would be highly desirable. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E366–E377, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

No abstract

No abstract