Photopolymerization of 1D photonic structures induced by nematic–isotropic phase transition in liquid crystal

Abstract

In this paper, two types of polymer-stabilized periodic structures created by photopolymerization of a nematic liquid crystal confined in a cylindrical structure are presented. Both types of structures were induced by nematic–isotropic phase transition in liquid crystal doped with gold nanoparticles. The first type of structure was created by stabilizing periodic phase separation at the nematic–isotropic phase transition temperature. As a result, a periodic structure with two distinct molecular orientations of nematic liquid crystal was achieved. The period of this structure was equal to the period induced by nematic–isotropic phase separation. The second type of structure, also related to the phase transition, was created due to an induced periodic density change of gold nanoparticles in the sample volume. Through photopolymerization it was possible to preclude the dispersion of gold nanoparticles while preserving the periodicity. An increased concentration of gold nanoparticles caused periodic defects in molecular orientation of the liquid crystal. Both types of structures were stable at room temperature. Consequently, two types of 1D photonic structures stabilized by photopolymerization are presented.