Electroactive super elongation of carbon nanotube clusters in liquid crystal medium and its display application

ABSTRACT Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can exist as clusters whenever doping amount in nematic liquid crystal (LC) mixture exceeds critical point. Based on experimental observation of electric fi eld-dependent shape of the CN T cluster, it elongates along the field direction and its original morphology of the cluster is restored after the removal of the field. The elongation was fully reversible only below a certain breakdown field. Both clusters and elongated CNTs were observed under non-polarized and polarized light. The cluster absorbs incident light completely while the elongated one absorbs light propagating along the long axis only. Utilizing the field-controlled cluster, light modulation for display application is possible. Keywords: Carbon nanotubes, liquid crystal, elongation, light modulation 1. INTRODUCTION CNTs are believed to be promising candidates for next generation nanomaterials due to its unique structural identity and outstanding electrical an d mechanical properties.