Characterisation and mesomorphic behaviour of liquid crystals with dispersed PdCl2 nanoparticles

ABSTRACTThe synthesis and characterisation are carried on liquid crystalline (LC) p-dodecyloxy benzoic acid (12OBA) with 1 and 2 wt% for PdCl2 nanoparticles dispersion. Further, characterizations are carried out by different spectroscopic techniques like X-ray diffraction spectrometric studies, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Textural determinations of the synthesised compounds are recorded by using polarising optical microscope (POM) attached with a hot stage and camera. The results show that the dispersion of PdCl2 nanoparticles in 12OBA exhibits Nematic phases as same as the pure 12OBA with reduced clearing temperature as expected. Further, the nematic thermal ranges are quenched and the smectic C thermal range has been increased while performing both DSC and POM with the dispersion of 1 wt% PdCl2 nanoparticles. Size dependence on bonding nature with LC compounds is established.