Effect of nanofiller concentration on its dispersion in a system of liquid crystalline SB(3R)-11 and single walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

We report on the concentration dependence of the dispersion of single walled carbon nanotubes, SWCNTs, in a nanocomposite with a recently synthesized ferroelectric and optically active thermotropic liquid crystal ((R,E)-4-(4-((3,7-dimethyloctyl) oxy) styryl) phenyl 4-(undecyloxy)benzoate. Excellent dispersion of the SWCNTs in the concentration range from 0.01 up to 10 wt % was proven by means of differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. It is believed to be facilitated by the formation of core-shell fibres, consisting of liquid crystal decorated SWCNTs, yet in the solution state. The fibres are maintained after the solvent evaporation and so the aggregation at elevated temperatures is prevented. The preservation of the liquid crystalline behaviour in all investigated cases can be considered as an additional benefit.