Advances in multicomponent systems: Liquid crystal/nanoparticles/polymer
Aleksandra Gridyakina, N. A. Kasian, Miłosz Chychłowski, Marta Kajkowska, Piotr Lesiak
Abstract
Multicomponent systems based on liquid crystals are of great interest both in the field of scientific research and in the field of practical application. To date, one of the most studied systems are liquid crystal/nanoparticles and liquid crystal/polymer systems. Each system individually has its own advantages and disadvantages which limit their field of application. The way to circumvent the drawbacks and increase the advantages of both systems is to combine them into a three-component liquid crystal/polymer/nanoparticles system. This combination allows to fine tune and improve the most commonly exploited system parameters in display applications, such as electro-optics properties, and other such as structural, spectroscopic, luminescent, etc., which can significantly expand the applications of multicomponent systems. Therefore, this review is devoted to creating a holistic picture that includes all possible effects resulting from the combination of the properties of liquid crystals, polymers, and various nanomaterials. Also, as a result of the following analysis, possible prospects of multicomponent systems application are reviewed.