Investigation of Nematic Liquid Crystals Doped with Spherical Multiferroic Nanoparticles in the Presence of a Magnetic Field

Recently, multiferroic nanoparticles (MFNPs) have attracted significant attention as dopant in the nematic liquid crystal (NLC) medium. Here, behavior of the NLC molecules and MFNPs in the presence of a magnetic field is theoretically investigated in the framework of continuum theory, based on our knowledge. The electric field of the MFNPs is taken into account in the calculations. Freedericksz transition (FT) threshold field in the presence of spherical nanoparticles is determined. Dependence of the FT threshold to the diameter and volume fraction of the nanoparticles was studied. Also, the NLC director and nanoparticle reorientations for the magnetic field larger than the FT threshold field are studied. It was shown that the FT threshold of NLC is decreased by doping of spherical MFNPs. Migration of the nanoparticles to the central layers of the cell (segregation effect) is investigated.