Pemika Hirankittiwong. Azo-dendrimers for manipulating molecular orientation in droplets and microparticle systems. Doctoral Degree(Physics). Kasetsart University. Office of the University Library. : Kasetsart University, 2018.
Azo-dendrimers for manipulating molecular orientation in droplets and microparticle systems
We demonstrated that azo-dendrimers can control and manipulate arrangement of liquid crystal molecules around microparticles under UV light exposure. The structure of nematic liquid crystals around silica spheres was deformed into either hedgehog, boojum, or saturn ring defects. The switching time of these defects is about 50 ms under UV light. Moreover we found that directors can control the translational and rotational motion of rods. These motions are the result of nematic liquid crystal molecules on surface of silica rod having reoriented from perpendicular to planar direction when turning on UV light. The molecular torque from reorientation initiated motion of the rods. The movements of rods depend on position of rods in the director field. In both types of motion, reversible effect can be observed after removing UV irradiation. In addition, we indicated optical manipulation of liquid crystal molecules in droplets covered with azo-dendrimers. We observed changing configuration dynamic in droplets during UV irradiation and director field transfer to equilibrium state after removal of UV light. The axial defect is conserved configuration in this system. This mechanical system resulted from the effect of uniaxial molecules reorientation by azo-dendrimers under UV irradiation.
Kasetsart University. Office of the University Library