Unusual double four-lobe textures generated by the motion of carbon nanotubes in a nematic liquid crystal

Abstract

Unusual double four-lobe nematic liquid crystal (LC) textures were observed in the carbon nanotube (CNT)-doped nematic LC under electric field. Through the electro-optical studies in a wide range of vertical electric fields in the direction of the long axis of the LC molecules, it was realized that the double four-lobe nematic LC textures were formed in the range of 120 to 160 V(rms) at 1 Hz. The formation of these unusual double four-lobe nematic LC textures could originate from the electric field-induced movement of CNTs and the subsequently frustrated reorientation of LCs.