Gold nanoparticles in columnar matrix of discotic liquid crystal

Abstract

Hexanethiolate-stabilized gold nanoparticles (GNP) were synthesized by the method adopted by Song et al.[2]. Average size of GNPs was determined by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). This method yielded nanoparticles with average particle size of 1.5 nm. In the present work, we have incorporated GNPs in columnar matrix of discotic liquid crystal.The thermo-physical properties of these mixtures were investigated using polarizing optical micrography (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dielectric spectroscopy. Results show GNPs does not affect the hexagonal arrangement of columns of DLC. However, there is decrease in mesophase to crystallization temperature as confirmed by DSC. This approach of crossing of the field of nanotechnology with DLC may lead to novel materials with interesting properties that are useful for many device applications