Preparation and properties of ZnO nanorod array/liquid crystal composite system

ABSTRACT

In this study, By hydrothermal reaction, we prepared ZnO nanorod array of high aspect ratio with different growth time. The prepared ZnO nanorod array was on one side of the liquid crystal cell, the another side of the liquid crystal cell is ITO-glass, then the ZnO nanorod array/liquid crystal composite was injected into the liquid crystal cell. Experimental results showed that the bandwidth of the reflection spectrum of the ZnO nanorod array/liquid crystal composite system was wider than the system without ZnO nanorod array. In addition, effects of polymerisation temperatures and the length of ZnO nanorod array on the broad-band reflection of N*-LC composite films were systematically investigated.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• ZnO nanorod array
• chiral nematic liquid crystal
• reflection bandwidth
• composite system

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51673157), National Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi (Grant No. 2017JM2028, 2018JM5047), Special fund for high-level talents of Xijing University (Grant No. XJ16T05).