Liquid crystal polymers as matrices for arrangement of inorganic nanoparticles

Abstract

Preparation of hybrid composite materials consisting of a polymeric matrix and inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) is considered as an approach for creating new materials for photonics. The major focus of this review is on the applications of anisotropic matrices that can control the spatial arrangement of NPs. The fundamental aspects related to hybrid organic-inorganic composites with photonic properties provided by LC polymers are of great practical interest. Several approaches are considered as efficient tools for tuning the photoluminescence by means of chemical coupling (covalent or non-covalent) of polymers with NPs, mesophase structure type and NPs morphology.