Preparation and Doping Effect of Surface Modified ZnS Nanoparticles on Liquid Crystal Nanocomposite System

A simple method was utilized to synthesize ZnS nanoparticles using mercaptoacetic acid as modifier in aqueous solution. XRD demonstrates that the ZnS nanoparticles have face-centered cubic structure. FT-IR spectroscopy shows that the stabilizer mercaptoacetic acid (MPA) is successfully modified on the surface of ZnS nanoparticles. A nanocomposite system was obtained by mixing the MPA modified ZnS nanoparticles with nematic liquid crystal 4’-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (5CB). The doping effect on liquid crystal texture, liquid crystal transformation temperature, and ultraviolet absorption of the nanoparticles was investigated. The nanocomposite system remains the silky texture of the liquid crystal regardless of the addition of ZnS nanoparticles.