Physical properties of cholesteric liquid crystals - carbon nanotube dispersions

The mesomorphic and visco-elastic properties of cholesteric liquid crystal - multiwall carbon nanotube dispersions were investigated with respect to temperature and nanotube concentration. The important rheology characteristics, such as dynamic viscosity, elastic modulus and loss modulus were studied. For the first time a 3D-model of cholesteric liquid crystal at the temperature of cholesteric phase existence was obtained by molecular dynamics simulation method. A weak effect of nanotube on the molecular orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the N* phase was found.