Hierarchical self-assembly of nematic colloidal superstructures.

We show that colloidal superstructures could be assembled in mixtures of large and small colloidal particles dispersed in a nematic liquid crystal. Using elastic interaction of small colloidal particles with the disclination lines we succeed to demonstrate how one can decorate with small particles a...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Principais autores: Skarabot, M, Ravnik, M, Zumer, S, Tkalec, U, Poberaj, I, Babic, D, Musevic, I
Formato: Journal article
Idioma:English
Publicado em: 2008
Descrição
Resumo:We show that colloidal superstructures could be assembled in mixtures of large and small colloidal particles dispersed in a nematic liquid crystal. Using elastic interaction of small colloidal particles with the disclination lines we succeed to demonstrate how one can decorate with small particles a topological matrix of defect rings and loops formed by an array of large colloidal particles. Our simulations show that this concept of colloidal self-assembly in nematics could be extended down to the nanoscale particles.