Fréedericksz Transitions in 6CB Based Ferronematics—Effect of Magnetic Nanoparticles Size and Concentration

Abstract

In this paper, results acquired from capacitance measurements performed on composites based on nematic liquid crystal 4-cyano-4′-hexylbiphenyl (6CB) and spherical iron oxide nanoparticles of various sizes are presented. Electric and magnetic Fréedericksz transitions, as well as structural transitions in combined electric and magnetic fields, were investigated. The obtained results showed the lowering of the threshold magnetic field with an increase in the volume concentration of nanoparticles. Estimations based on results obtained from measurements suggest soft anchoring between liquid crystal director and nanoparticles magnetization vector.

Keywords

• liquid crystals
• magnetic nanoparticles
• Fréedericksz transition