(464g) Assembly of Microparticles On Thin Smectic Films | AIChE

(464g) Assembly of Microparticles On Thin Smectic Films

Authors 

Gharbi, M. A. - Presenter, University of Pennsylvania
Yang, S., University of Pennsylvania
Kamien, R. D., University of Pennsylvania
Stebe, K. J., University of Pennsylvania



Colloidal particles organize spontaneously at fluid interfaces owing to a variety of interactions to form well organized structures that can be exploited to synthesize advanced materials. While the physics of colloidal assembly at isotropic interfaces is well understood, the mechanisms that govern interactions between particles at liquid crystal interfaces are not yet clearly established.  In particular, smectic liquid crystal films offer important degrees of freedom that can be used to direct particles into new structures.  In this work, we report on the behavior of micrometric silica particles with homeotropic anchoring confined within or at interfaces of smectic films. We study the interactions and self-assembly of these particles as a function of film thickness in both supported and in free standing films. When particles are captured in thin membranes, they induce distortions of the smectic interface to satisfy wetting properties at particle boundaries, leading to capillary interactions between the particles. These capillary interactions compete with elastic interactions owing to particle-induced distortions in the smectic layers. The resulting potential drives assembly of the spheres into different structures ranging from 1D chains to 2D aggregates. By increasing the thickness of the smectic, we control the formation of focal conic domains (FCDs) and their organization. The FCDs interact with particles at the interface and can be used to direct the formation of complex particle structures.  By organizing the defects, we direct the location of these complex structures. Recent progress in understanding the process of particle self-organization is presented.