Design and Preparation of Nematic Colloidal Particles

Abstract

Colloidal systems are abundant in technology, in biomedical settings, and in our daily life. The so-called “colloidal atoms” paradigm exploits interparticle interactions to self-assemble colloidal analogs of atomic and molecular crystals, liquid crystal glasses, and other types of condensed matter from nanometer- or micrometer-sized colloidal building blocks. Nematic colloids, which comprise colloidal particles dispersed within an anisotropic nematic fluid host medium, provide a particularly rich variety of physical behaviors at the mesoscale, not only matching but even exceeding the diversity of structural and phase behavior in conventional atomic and molecular systems. This feature article, using primarily examples of works from our own group, highlights recent developments in the design, fabrication, and self-assembly of nematic colloidal particles, including the capabilities of preprogramming their behavior by controlling the particle’s surface boundary conditions for liquid crystal molecules at the colloidal surfaces as well as by defining the shape and topology of the colloidal particles. Recent progress in defining particle-induced defects, elastic multipoles, self-assembly, and dynamics is discussed along with open issues and challenges within this research field.

Eco-friendly Approach for Creation of Resonant Silicon Nanoparticle Colloids

“…However, despite the high productivity of chemical and dewetting methods, repeatability, and high resolution of lithography, a further development of fabrication techniques requires an eco-friendly approach and some solutions for large-scale production. One of the promising fabrication methods is self-assembling NPs over a substrate, which is usually conducted from the liquid phase. − An important step for adapting this approach to the fabrication of resonant high-refractive index nanostructures is producing colloidal solutions.…”