Defect structures of magnetic nanoparticles in smectic a liquid crystals

0551355 - FZÚ 2022 RIV CH eng J - Journal Article
Novotná, Vladimíra - Lejček, Lubor - Hamplová, Věra - Vejpravová, J.
Defect structures of magnetic nanoparticles in smectic a liquid crystals.
Molecules. Roč. 26, č. 18 (2021), č. článku 5717. E-ISSN 1420-3049
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT(CZ) EF16_019/0000760; GA MŠMT LTC19051; GA MŠMT(CZ) LM2018096
Grant - others:OP VVV - SOLID21(XE) CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000760; EU - ICT(XE) COST Action CA17139
Institutional support: RVO:68378271
Keywords : liquid crystals * defects * magnetic nanoparticles
OECD category: Condensed matter physics (including formerly solid state physics, supercond.)
Impact factor: 4.927, year: 2021
Method of publishing: Open access

Topological defects in anisotropic fluids like liquid crystals serve as a playground for the research of various effects. In this study, we concentrated on a hybrid system of chiral rod-like molecules doped by magnetic nanoparticles. In textures of the smectic A phase, we observed linear defects and found that clusters of nanoparticles promote nucleation of smectic layer de-fects just at the phase transition from the isotropic to the smectic A (SmA) phase. In different geometries, we studied and analysed creation of defects which can be explained by attractive elastic forces between nanoparticles in the SmA phase. On cooling the studied hybrid system, clusters grow up to the critical dimension, and the smectic texture is stabilized. The presented effects are theoretically described and explained if we consider the elastic interaction of two point defects and stabilization of prismatic dislocation loops due to the presence of nanoparticles.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0326941