Nanoparticles in the modification of properties of chiral smectic liquid crystals and something else...

The main goal of the research is to obtain in a simple way new materials, whose properties can be easily adjust by means of nanoparticles concentration. Chosen results of the studies on liquid crystals, exhibiting antiferroelectric or ferroelectric properties (SmC*A or SmC* phase, respectively), modified by nanoparticles will be presented. Many physical properties of such materials have been studied by using calorimetric, electric, optical and spectroscopic methods. I have found what nanoparticles can change, how and why this change is registered. Results regarding the influence of ferroelectric BaTiO3 and ferromagnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles will be briefly presented. The influence of plasmonic Au nanoparticles on the properties of antiferroelectric liquid crystalline phase will be discussed in more detail. The other research carried out in our group will be mentioned.