Synthesis and Characterization of Citrate Capped Au Nanoparticle Dispersion in Liquid Crystalline Compounds

In the present manuscript synthesis and characterization are carried out on Liquid Crystalline p-n-nonyloxy benzoic acid (9OBA) compound and with citrate capped 30, 50, 70 & 90 mu l Au nanoparticle dispersion. The polarizing microscopy (POM), Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) technique is used to measure the phase transition temperatures. Further characterization is carried out by various spectroscopic techniques like Scanning Electron Microscopy studies (SEM), Ultra Violet Visible (UV) spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy (FTIR). Textural determinations of the synthesized compounds are recorded by using POM connected with a hot stage and camera. The results showed that the dispersion of Au nanoparticles in 9OBA exhibit NC phases as same as the pure 9OBA with reduced clearing temperature as expected. Further, the nematic thermal ranges are also increased while performing both DSC and POM with the dispersion of citrate capped Au nanoparticles. Influence of nanosized Au particles on bonding nature with LC compounds is established.