2022 Annual Meeting
Analysis of Quantum Dot Dispersions in Liquid Crystals
There has been a strong research interest in doping quantum dots (QDs) into liquid crystals (LCs). Doing so has been reported to improve the electro-optical properties of LCs, such as reducing the threshold voltage and orientation switching time, which have many applications in display technologies. However, a stable dispersion of QDs in LCs has not been achieved without the addition of surfactants due to various factors, one of which includes the high surface energy of QDs that leads to high levels of aggregation and inhomogeneity. An understanding of how various doping parameters affect the aggregation of QDs is crucial in synthesizing a stable dispersion of QDs in LCs. In this project, we employ polarizing light microscopy and develop an image analysis method to quantify the degree of aggregation of QDs in LCs, which has only been qualitative thus far in the literature. This method contributes to future research investigating the effects various doping parameters have on the aggregation of QDs in LCs. In addition, preliminary data on the aggregation of QDs under various doping parameters were obtained and offer a glimpse into the opposing forces influencing aggregation of QDs in LCs, including forces originating from the director of anchored LCs.