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ABSTRACT
3D nanoparticle-based materials with reconfigurable structure have gained vast attention due to the unique possibility of tailoring nanoparticle-related quantum confinement effects. These properties make active nanoparticle assemblies promising candidates for future optoelectronic and metamaterial technologies; however, integration of these materials into real-world applications is still challenging. In this context, the use of stimuli responsive liquid-crystals (LCs) offers a fascinating and industrially feasible strategy for active directing of NPs. Here, we briefly review LCs/NPs hybrid systems in which dynamic behaviour is achieved by affecting either LC matrix or LC ligands. We also experimentally evaluate a complementary strategy based on directly affecting metallic core of LC-covered NPs in an Ostwald ripening process.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Polish National Science Center under SONATA [Grant number 2013/09/D/ST5/03875].
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
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