Unidirectional Alignment of Surface-Grafted ZnO Nanorods in Micrometer-Thick Cells Using Low-Molecular-Weight Liquid Crystals |
| |
Authors: | Kaho Ogata Kohsuke Matsumoto Yoshiaki Kobayashi Shoichi Kubo Atsushi Shishido |
| |
Institution: | 1.Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, R1-12, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan; (K.O.); (K.M.); (Y.K.);2.Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan |
| |
Abstract: | Inorganic nanomaterials such as nanotubes and nanorods have attracted great attention due to their anisotropic properties. Although the alignment control of inorganic nanomaterials is key to the development of functional devices utilizing their fascinating properties, there is still difficulty in achieving uniform alignment over a large area with a micrometer thickness. To overcome this problem, we focused on liquid crystals (LCs) to promote the alignment of anisotropic nanomaterials, taking advantage of the cooperative motion of LCs. We present the uniform, one-dimensional alignment of ZnO nanorods along the direction of LCs in micrometer-thick cells by grafting nematic LC polymers from the nanorod surfaces to provide miscibility with the host LCs. Polarized optical microscopy and polarized UV–visible absorption spectroscopy revealed the unidirectional alignment of nematic LC polymer-grafted ZnO nanorods parallel to the nematic host LCs. |
| |
Keywords: | nanorod alignment liquid crystal surface modification |
|
|