Nematic colloids at liquid crystal–air interfaces via photopolymerization

Abstract

We demonstrate the preparation of colloidal crystals at nematic liquid crystal–air interfaces by simultaneous photopolymerization and assembly. Polymer colloids are produced by polymerization-induced phase separation of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate in the non-reactive liquid crystal (LC) 4-cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) using an open-cell setup. Colloids adsorbed to the nematic 5CB–air interface form non-close-packed hexagonal crystals that cover the entire interface area. We examine the mechanism of growth and assembly for the preparation of LC-templated interfacial colloidal superstructures.