Ferroelectric PbTiO3 nanoparticles were synthesized to be used as inorganic components of new composite materials based on a liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE) matrix. The preparation and characterization of the composite materials, with a relatively high concentration of PbTiO3 nanoparticles, in the form of thin films is described. The composite films retain the thermomechanical response typical of standard LCEs and the nanoparticles are distributed in the film in anisotropic structures indicating the presence of a coupling between the LCE ordered matrix and the nanomaterials. The nematoelastic coupling and the supercritical nature of the paranematic-nematic transition of the LSCE-based composites was verified also in the presence of ferroelectric nanoparticles.
PbTiO3 nanoparticles embedded in a liquid crystalline elastomer matrix: Structural and ordering properties
DOMENICI, VALENTINA;
2010-01-01
Abstract
Ferroelectric PbTiO3 nanoparticles were synthesized to be used as inorganic components of new composite materials based on a liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE) matrix. The preparation and characterization of the composite materials, with a relatively high concentration of PbTiO3 nanoparticles, in the form of thin films is described. The composite films retain the thermomechanical response typical of standard LCEs and the nanoparticles are distributed in the film in anisotropic structures indicating the presence of a coupling between the LCE ordered matrix and the nanomaterials. The nematoelastic coupling and the supercritical nature of the paranematic-nematic transition of the LSCE-based composites was verified also in the presence of ferroelectric nanoparticles.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
