SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GOLD NANOPARTICLES FUNCTIONALIZED WITH CALAMITIC MESOGENS

Liquid-crystalline nanoparticles represent an exciting class of new materials for a variety of potential applications. By combining supramolecular ordering with the fluid properties of the liquid-crystalline state, these materials offer the possibility to organize nanoparticles into addressable 2-D and 3-D arrangements exhibiting high processability and self-healing properties. Here, we report the influence of temperature or/and ratio of reactants (C6H5-SH and HAuCl4) on the size of gold nanoparticles (NH). The synthesis of gold nanoparticles which are covered with thermotropic liquid crystals (4'-(undecyloxy)biphenyl-4-yl 4-(11-mercapto-undecyloxy)benzoate) (L) - rod like mesogen by ligand exchange reaction it is also presented. The nanoparticles are functionalized with two different thiol molecules: simple n-hexane thiol and rod like mesogen. Chemical structures and purity of nanoparticles were confirmed by H-1-NMR and elemental analysis. The size of spherical particles were establised by TEM. The hybrid gold nanoparticles (NHL) show mesophase behavior in a large temperature interval above 43 degrees C and the nanocomposites are stable up to 145 degrees C.