Impact of contaminated nanoparticles on the non-monotonous change in the concentration of mobile ions in liquid crystals

ABSTRACT

The ionic purity of nanoparticles can affect electrical properties of liquid crystals in very unusual ways. While 100% pure nanoparticles can only decrease the concentration of mobile ions in liquid crystals by means of adsorption/desorption processes, nano-dopants contaminated with ions can lead to the increase, decrease and no change in the concentration of ions. Moreover, these changes can exhibit non-monotonous behaviour as a function of the nanoparticle loading. The level of the liquid crystal contamination or purification, achieved by doping them with nanoparticles, is always limited by the physical quantity called the critical concentration of ions. From applied perspectives, results presented in this paper can be used in the selection of nano-materials, the most suitable for the liquid crystal purification.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Nanoparticles
• liquid crystals
• ions
• electrical conductivity
• adsorption
• desorption
• ion trapping

Acknowledgement

The author would like to acknowledge the support provided by the UCCS BioFrontiers Center at the University of Colorado.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.