Orientational order parameter of liquid crystalline nanocomposites by Newton’s rings and image analysis methods

Abstract

Liquid crystalline nanocomposites are prepared by dispersing TiO 2 , ZnO, Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles separately in 4-Cyano 4'-Propoxy-1, 1'-Biphenyl (3O-CB) liquid crystal in a 1:100 ratio. The characteristic textures exhibited are captured at different liquid crystalline phases by using POM. The phase transition temperatures are measured by both polarizing optical microscope (POM) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The optical textures are analyzed by using MATLAB software to compute birefringence and order parameter of samples. The birefringence and order parameter also measured by conventional Newton's rings technique, the results are discussed.