Abstract
A nematic-to-isotropic transition was obsd. in suspensions of C nanotubes (CNTs) and a cyanobiphenyl-based liq. crystal (LC) confined within an In Sn oxide glass sandwich cell. Upon the application of elec. field, CNTs rotate out of plane short-circuiting the electrodes and producing a current flow through the CNTs. The resulting Joule heating leads to a local increase in temp. of the LC-CNT medium. Hence, starting from a metastable nematic phase, a complete transition to the isotropic phase is obsd. On removal of the elec. field, the transition is reversed with the LC-CNT medium returning to the nematic phase. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 064314/1-064314/5 |
Journal | Journal of Applied Physics |
Volume | 103 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2008 |
Keywords
- field controlled nematic-to-isotropic phase transition in 5CB liq. crystal-carbon nanotube composites)
- Liquid crystals (transitions
- Electric field
- nematic isotropic transition 5CB liq crystal carbon nanotube composite
- Composites
- Liquid crystals (field controlled nematic-to-isotropic phase transition in 5CB liq. crystal-carbon nanotube composites)