Synthesis and Characterization of Submicron-Sized and Monodisperse Liquid Crystal Capsules

Here we developed a new method to prepare the liquid crystal particles by first synthesizing the monodisperse hollow inorganic spheres and then allowing the liquid crystals to infiltrate into the hollow spheres. The resulting liquid crystal colloidal particles have a diameter of 285nm with a low polydispersity of 0.03. DSC thermograms showed a clear peak at around 30 degree, indicating the isotropic-nematic transition of liquid crystals encapsulated in the silica shells. The inorganic shells can prevent liquid crystals inside from leaking out and also hold the spherical shape of colloidal particles after the evaporation of the dispersant. A thin film assembled by the liquid crystal colloidal particles was also prepared in this report.