Controlling the packing of gold nanoparticles with grafted liquid crystals

We present the syntheses of two kinds of gold nanoparticles each of which covered with one of the two thermotropic liquid crystals with different rigidity by ligand exchange reaction. The nanoparticles were functionalized with two kinds of thiol molecules: simple n-alkyl and rod-like mesogens. The chemical structures and purities of the nanocomposites were confirmed by (HNMR)-H-1, FT-IR, and elemental analysis. These liquid crystal-capped gold nanoparticles self-assembled into different structures that were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, small-angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and SQUID magnetometer. The mesogenic thiols influenced the phase structures of the nanocomposites. Simple lamellar, hexatic B-like, and smectic E-like structures were observed. The packing of gold nanoparticles could thus be controlled. In addition, both nanocomposites showed magnetic properties.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000307273400088&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=8e1609b174ce4e31116a60747a720701Chemistry, MultidisciplinaryNanoscience & NanotechnologyMaterials Science, MultidisciplinarySCI(E)EI1ARTICLE8null1