Colloidal SU-8 rods and banana-shaped particles: synthesis and liquid crystal self-assembly

Thesis

In this thesis, we describe the development of two novel model systems of anisotropic colloidal particles and study their self-assembly into colloidal liquid crystal phases with confocal microscopy. In particular, we develop a system of colloidal rod-like and banana-shaped particles made of a polymeric material called SU-8. First, we describe the synthesis of colloidal SU-8 rods with tunable dimensions by using sonication. This simple yet, crucial step allows us to bring the SU-8 rod syste...

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Authors: Fernandez Rico, C

• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: splay bend nematic phase; soft matter; Colloidal particles; Colloidal bananas; Liquid crystals
• Subjects: nanostructured materials; liquid crystals; Colloids