Study of properties of pure and nanoparticle doped Cholesteric liquid crystal

This paper examines the effect of silver nanoparticles on optical behavior and acoustical parameters of Cholesteryl Pelargonate. The ultrasonic attenuation and relaxation time is evaluated by measuring velocity of sound passing through samples at 1MHz with an ultrasonic interferometer at various temperatures. The wavelength dependence of birefringence of Cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) and its nanocomposites is determined with hollow prism method at room temperature. The phase transition temperatures and clearing temperatures are determined with an optical polarising microscope. In order to understand their molecular dynamics and optical transmission capabilities, the acoustical parameters were measured. A small weight percent of silver nanoparticles has significantly increased the ultrasonic attenuation, relaxation time and birefringence of CLC material. The ultrasonic attenuation and relaxation time of nanoparticle doped cholesteric liquid crystals decreases with the increase in the concentration of nanoparticles in it. The blue phase temperature range of CLC material is broadened with the dispersion of silver nanoparticles.