Fluorescence properties of a composite material based on the 5CB nematic liquid crystal with gold nanoparticles

The steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectra of n-pentyl-n′-cyanobiphenyl and a related composite material with gold nanoparticles in the liquid crystalline and solid states have been investigated. The introduction of gold nanoparticles into the liquid crystal leads to a noticeable quenching of fluorescence in the emission region of the predimer and excimer states of cyanobiphenyl. In the solid phase, a quenching of free excitons and a short-wavelength shift of fluorescence bands have been observed.