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Wang S, Lipchus EJ, Gharbi MA, Yelleswarapu CS. Polarization Z-Scan Studies Revealing Plasmon Coupling Enhancement Due to Dimer Formation of Gold Nanoparticles in Nematic Liquid Crystals. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:2206. [PMID: 38138375 PMCID: PMC10746126 DOI: 10.3390/mi14122206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
We investigate the plasmon coupling of gold nanoparticle (AuNP) dimers dispersed in a nematic liquid crystal matrix using the polarization z-scan technique. Our experimental setup includes the precise control of incident light polarization through polarization angles of 0°, 45°, and 90°. Two distinct cell orientations are examined: parallel and twisted nematic cells. In parallel-oriented cells, where liquid crystal molecules and AuNPs align with the rubbing direction, we observe a remarkable 2-3-fold increase in the nonlinear absorption coefficient when the polarization of the incident light is parallel to the rubbing direction. Additionally, a linear decrease in the third-order nonlinear absorption coefficient is noted as the polarization angle varies from 0° to 90°. In the case of twisted nematic cells, the NPs do not have any preferred orientation, and the enhancement remains consistent across all polarization angles. These findings conclusively establish that the observed enhancement in the nonlinear absorption coefficient is a direct consequence of plasmon coupling, shedding light on the intricate interplay between plasmonic nanostructures and liquid crystal matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mohamed Amine Gharbi
- Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125, USA; (S.W.); (E.J.L.)
| | - Chandra S. Yelleswarapu
- Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125, USA; (S.W.); (E.J.L.)
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2
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Tasinkevych M, Park S, Mundoor H, Smalyukh II. Nanoparticle localization within chiral liquid crystal defect lines and nanoparticle interactions. Phys Rev E 2023; 107:034701. [PMID: 37073031 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.107.034701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembly of colloidal particles into predefined structures is a promising way to design inexpensive manmade materials with advanced macroscopic properties. Doping of nematic liquid crystals (LCs) with nanoparticles has a series of advantages in addressing these grand scientific and engineering challenges. It also provides a very rich soft matter platform for the discovery of unique condensed matter phases. The LC host naturally allows the realization of diverse anisotropic interparticle interactions, enriched by the spontaneous alignment of anisotropic particles due to the boundary conditions of the LC director. Here we demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that the ability of LC media to host topological defect lines can be used as a tool to probe the behavior of individual nanoparticles as well as effective interactions between them. LC defect lines irreversibly trap nanoparticles enabling controlled particle movement along the defect line with the use of a laser tweezer. Minimization of Landau-de Gennes free energy reveals a sensitivity of the ensuing effective nanoparticle interaction to the shape of the particle, surface anchoring strength, and temperature, which determine not only the strength of the interaction but also its repulsive or attractive character. Theoretical results are supported qualitatively by experimental observations. This work may pave the way toward designing controlled linear assemblies as well as one-dimensional crystals of nanoparticles such as gold nanorods or quantum dots with tunable interparticle spacing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mykola Tasinkevych
- SOFT Group, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, United Kingdom
- Departamento de Física, and Centro de Física Teórica e Computacional, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
- International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima 739-8511, Japan
| | - Sungoh Park
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
| | - Haridas Mundoor
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
| | - Ivan I Smalyukh
- International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima 739-8511, Japan
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
- Soft Materials Research Center; Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering Program; and Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
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Das S, Noh J, Cao W, Sun H, Gianneschi NC, Abbott NL. Using Nanoscopic Solvent Defects for the Spatial and Temporal Manipulation of Single Assemblies of Molecules. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:7506-7514. [PMID: 36094850 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c02454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Here we report the use of defects in ordered solvents to form, manipulate, and characterize individual molecular assemblies of either small-molecule amphiphiles or polymers. The approach exploits nanoscopic control of the structure of nematic solvents (achieved by the introduction of topological defects) to trigger the formation of molecular assemblies and the subsequent manipulation of defects using electric fields. We show that molecular assemblies formed in solvent defects slow defect motion in the presence of an electric field and that time-of-flight measurements correlate with assembly size, suggesting methods for the characterization of single assemblies of molecules. Solvent defects are also used to transport single assemblies of molecules between solvent locations that differ in composition, enabling the assembly and disassembly of molecular "nanocontainers". Overall, our results provide new methods for studying molecular self-assembly at the single-assembly level and new principles for integrated nanoscale chemical systems that use solvent defects to transport and position molecular cargo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumik Das
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - JungHyun Noh
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Wei Cao
- Department of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute and the Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Hao Sun
- Department of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute and the Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, University of New Haven, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Nathan C Gianneschi
- Department of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute and the Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Nicholas L Abbott
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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Senyuk B, Meng C, Smalyukh II. Design and Preparation of Nematic Colloidal Particles. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:9099-9118. [PMID: 35866261 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Colloidal systems are abundant in technology, in biomedical settings, and in our daily life. The so-called "colloidal atoms" paradigm exploits interparticle interactions to self-assemble colloidal analogs of atomic and molecular crystals, liquid crystal glasses, and other types of condensed matter from nanometer- or micrometer-sized colloidal building blocks. Nematic colloids, which comprise colloidal particles dispersed within an anisotropic nematic fluid host medium, provide a particularly rich variety of physical behaviors at the mesoscale, not only matching but even exceeding the diversity of structural and phase behavior in conventional atomic and molecular systems. This feature article, using primarily examples of works from our own group, highlights recent developments in the design, fabrication, and self-assembly of nematic colloidal particles, including the capabilities of preprogramming their behavior by controlling the particle's surface boundary conditions for liquid crystal molecules at the colloidal surfaces as well as by defining the shape and topology of the colloidal particles. Recent progress in defining particle-induced defects, elastic multipoles, self-assembly, and dynamics is discussed along with open issues and challenges within this research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohdan Senyuk
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Cuiling Meng
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Ivan I Smalyukh
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Soft Materials Research Center and Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Chemical Physics Program, Departments of Chemistry and Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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Mai Z, Yuan Y, Tai JB, Senyuk B, Liu B, Li H, Wang Y, Zhou G, Smalyukh II. Nematic Order, Plasmonic Switching and Self-Patterning of Colloidal Gold Bipyramids. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2102854. [PMID: 34541830 PMCID: PMC8596134 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202102854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Dispersing inorganic colloidal nanoparticles within nematic liquid crystals provides a versatile platform both for forming new soft matter phases and for predefining physical behavior through mesoscale molecular-colloidal self-organization. However, owing to formation of particle-induced singular defects and complex elasticity-mediated interactions, this approach has been implemented mainly just for colloidal nanorods and nanoplatelets, limiting its potential technological utility. Here, orientationally ordered nematic colloidal dispersions are reported of pentagonal gold bipyramids that exhibit narrow but controlled polarization-dependent surface plasmon resonance spectra and facile electric switching. Bipyramids tend to orient with their C5 rotation symmetry axes along the nematic director, exhibiting spatially homogeneous density within aligned samples. Topological solitons, like heliknotons, allow for spatial reorganization of these nanoparticles according to elastic free energy density within their micrometer-scale structures. With the nanoparticle orientations slaved to the nematic director and being switched by low voltages ≈1 V within a fraction of a second, these plasmonic composite materials are of interest for technological uses like color filters and plasmonic polarizers, as well as may lead to the development of unusual nematic phases, like pentatic liquid crystals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijian Mai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and TechnologyNational Center for International Research on Green OptoelectronicsInstitute of Electronic Paper DisplaysSouth China Academy of Advanced OptoelectronicsSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhou510006P. R. China
- Department of Physics and Soft Materials Research CenterUniversity of ColoradoBoulderCO80309USA
| | - Ye Yuan
- Department of Physics and Soft Materials Research CenterUniversity of ColoradoBoulderCO80309USA
| | - Jung‐Shen B. Tai
- Department of Physics and Soft Materials Research CenterUniversity of ColoradoBoulderCO80309USA
| | - Bohdan Senyuk
- Department of Physics and Soft Materials Research CenterUniversity of ColoradoBoulderCO80309USA
| | - Bing Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and TechnologyNational Center for International Research on Green OptoelectronicsInstitute of Electronic Paper DisplaysSouth China Academy of Advanced OptoelectronicsSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhou510006P. R. China
| | - Hao Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and TechnologyNational Center for International Research on Green OptoelectronicsInstitute of Electronic Paper DisplaysSouth China Academy of Advanced OptoelectronicsSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhou510006P. R. China
| | - Yao Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and TechnologyNational Center for International Research on Green OptoelectronicsInstitute of Electronic Paper DisplaysSouth China Academy of Advanced OptoelectronicsSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhou510006P. R. China
| | - Guofu Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and TechnologyNational Center for International Research on Green OptoelectronicsInstitute of Electronic Paper DisplaysSouth China Academy of Advanced OptoelectronicsSouth China Normal UniversityGuangzhou510006P. R. China
| | - Ivan I. Smalyukh
- Department of Physics and Soft Materials Research CenterUniversity of ColoradoBoulderCO80309USA
- Materials Science and Engineering ProgramDepartment of Electrical, Computer and Energy EngineeringUniversity of ColoradoBoulderCO80309USA
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy InstituteNational Renewable Energy Laboratory and University of ColoradoBoulderCO80309USA
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Senyuk B, Mundoor H, Smalyukh II, Wensink HH. Nematoelasticity of hybrid molecular-colloidal liquid crystals. Phys Rev E 2021; 104:014703. [PMID: 34412251 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.104.014703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Colloidal rods immersed in a thermotropic liquid-crystalline solvent are at the basis of so-called hybrid liquid crystals, which are characterized by tunable nematic fluidity with symmetries ranging from conventional uniaxial nematic or antinematic to orthorhombic [Mundoor et al., Science 360, 768 (2018)SCIEAS0036-807510.1126/science.aap9359]. We provide a theoretical analysis of the elastic moduli of such systems by considering interactions between the individual rods with the embedding solvent through surface-anchoring forces, as well as steric and electrostatic interactions between the rods themselves. For uniaxial systems, the presence of colloidal rods generates a marked increase of the splay elasticity, which we found to be in quantitative agreement with experimental measurements. For orthorhombic hybrid liquid crystals, we provide estimates of all 12 elastic moduli and show that only a small subset of those elastic constants play a relevant role in describing the nematoelastic properties. The complexity and possibilities related to identifying the elastic moduli in experiments are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Senyuk
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
| | - H Mundoor
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
| | - I I Smalyukh
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA.,Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering Program and Soft Materials Research Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA.,Chemical Physics Program, Departments of Chemistry and Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA.,Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
| | - H H Wensink
- Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, Université Paris-Saclay & CNRS, UMR 8502, 91405 Orsay, France
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Colloidal and fumed particles in nematic liquid crystals: Self-assembly, confinement and implications on rheology. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.116241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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