Influence of interphase interactions on electro-optical properties of heterocomposites of 5CB liquid crystal and organomodified montmorillonites doped with carbon nanotubes

The characteristics of interphase interactions in heterocomposites based on 5CB liquid crystal are investigated by infrared spectroscopy. Organomodified natural montmorillonite (OMMT) aluminosilicates from three geological deposits and OMMT-CNT (carbon nanotubes) hybrid particles are used as filler materials. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) is employed as a surface modifier. Interphase (van-der-Waals) interactions are found to occur at the phase boundaries of these heterocomposites, with the strength of the interaction dependent on the type of MMT. Spectra of the hybrid nanoparticle powders show that CNTs have an effect on the conformation of the CTA+ modifier alkyl chains, the degree of which also depends on the form of MMT. Of the systems with OMMT, the composite with strongest interphase interactions was found to have the largest amount of electro-optical memory and the highest optical transmission. The presence of hybrid OMMT-CNT particles in these systems leads to the disappearance of the memory effect, a decrease in optical transmission, and a significant drop in the electrical breakdown voltage of the material. The effect of the CNTs is greatest in systems with the strongest affinity among the components of the composite.