Lee Jun-Seo, Lee Bomi, Song Jang-Kun
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Seobu-ro 2066, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
Soft Matter. 2019 Aug 21;15(33):6696-6702. doi: 10.1039/c9sm01150a.
The manipulation of a large number of nanoparticles (NPs) is an interesting but challenging task. Here, we demonstrate a new method to fabricate an NP cluster array, in which the shape and size of each NP cluster can be controlled. The method involves the use of the solubility contrast of NPs in the isotropic and nematic liquid crystal (LC) media, and the isotropic-preference difference depending on the types of the surfaces. The former mechanism is used to trap NPs within the isotropic domain, the size of which is simply manipulated by adjusting temperature. The latter mechanism is used to control the location of isotropic pockets in the continuous nematic phase. By controlling the volume and location of the isotropic pocket, one can simply create various types of NP cluster arrays. This method does not involve the use of any external field, and may be applicable to other types of NPs, including ferroelectric or ferromagnetic materials, thereby expanding its applicability.
操控大量纳米粒子（NPs）是一项有趣但具有挑战性的任务。在此，我们展示了一种制造NP簇阵列的新方法，其中每个NP簇的形状和大小均可控制。该方法涉及利用纳米粒子在各向同性和向列型液晶（LC）介质中的溶解度差异，以及取决于表面类型的各向同性偏好差异。前一种机制用于将纳米粒子捕获在各向同性区域内，该区域的大小可通过调节温度简单地操控。后一种机制用于控制连续向列相中各向同性口袋的位置。通过控制各向同性口袋的体积和位置，人们可以简单地创建各种类型的NP簇阵列。该方法不涉及使用任何外部场，并且可能适用于其他类型的纳米粒子，包括铁电或铁磁材料，从而扩大其适用性。
