Electric-Field-Induced Dispersion of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes in Nematic Liquid Crystal

Field-induced stretching and dynamic reorientation of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube aggregates in nematic liquid crystals

“…The field-induced stretching behavior of the CNT aggregates has been reported in previous works [21][22][23][24][25], which can be explained by considering applied electric field-induced dipolar reordering of CNTs from random to a linear form. After applying electric field, the CNTs in the host medium experiences the force elec F → given by (2) where ' CNTs and van der Walls interaction of CNTs in CNT aggregates.…”

“…Recently, electrically induced stretching behavior of CNT aggregates [21][22][23][24][25] has shown promising potential for macroscopic alignment of CNT aggregates along pre-determined direction, which would be favorable for large scale applications. In presence of electric field, the randomly oriented individual CNTs in aggregated form in LC matrix get unidirectional alignment along the field direction to minimize the induced dipolar energy due to their high aspect ratio and dielectrophoretic properties [26].…”

“…With further increasing field, the CNT aggregates could be stretched along the field direction above a critical field against van der Waals forces between CNTs bundles [25,26]. Extensive studies [21][22][23][24][25] to date have revealed field-dependent stretching of CNT aggregates related to the competition of applied field strength against van der Waals interaction between CNTs within aggregates. In general, functional groups on the CNT sidewalls will weaken van der Waals interaction between M A N U S C R I P T A C C E P T E D ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 4 CNTs and promote the dispersion process [27,28].…”

Liquid crystal suspensions of carbon nanotubes assisted by organically modified Laponite nanoplatelets

“…The approaches to improvement of dispersing of CNTs in LC hosts known today can be conventionally divided into physical and chemical. The physical approaches include optimization of LC materials and mixing conditions [17], in situ electro-hydrodynamic (EHD) dispergation [18,19] and debundling of CNTs in high electric fields [20]. The chemical approaches involve chemical attaching of various fragments to CNTs via covalent bonding [21], p-p stacking interaction [22], etc.…”

Dispositivos de cristal líquido dopados con nanopartículas = Nanoparticle-doped liquid crystal devices

“…Este fenómeno ha demostrado ser un método para manipular y reorientar NPs [144,185]. En efecto, se ha comprobado que los aglomerados y CNTs individuales pueden romperse y desplazarse gracias a la acción de un campo eléctrico muy grande, hecho que, además, depende en gran medida de la frecuencia aplicada [186].…”