Mixtures of Nanoparticles and Liquid Crystal Phases Exhibiting Topological Defects

Abstract

We study theoretically mixtures of liquid crystals (LCs) and nanoparticles (NPs) at a mesoscopic level. Orientational LC ordering is given in terms of a tensor order parameter. We estimate conditions which favor or disfavor phase separation. We show under which conditions topological defect could be exploited as trapping centers for nanoparticles. Influence of Defect Core Replacement mechanism on phase stability of a structure possessing topological defect is demonstrated.

Keywords:

• Liquid crystals
• mixtures
• nanoparticles
• phase stability
• topological defect

Acknowledgments

V.P.-N. gratefully acknowledges the hospitality and a supporting grant from Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Slovenia.