Dispersion of magnetic nanoparticles in a polymorphic liquid crystal

Abstract

In order to enhance the phase stability of dispersions of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) in a polymorphic liquid crystal, new ligands have been designed consisting of a terphenyl-based liquid crystalline core. The most stable dispersions were obtained with 7 nm super-paramagnetic Fe3O4 NPs decorated with the new ligands in place of 10 nm ferromagnetic CoFe2O4 spherical NPs.