Adsorbate-induced anchoring transitions of liquid crystals on surfaces presenting metal salts with mixed anions.

ABSTRACT: We report that metal salts composed of mixtures of anions of differing coordination strength can be used to increase the sensitivity and selectivity of adsorbate-induced anchoring transitions of liquid crystals (LCs) supported on surfaces decorated with the metal salts. Specifically, the dynamics of anchoring transitions triggered by the adsorbate dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) on surfaces of aluminum(III) salts were analyzed within the framework of a model for mass transport to reveal that the sensitivity of a nitrile-containing nematic LC to DMMP increased from 250 to 25 ppb when the composition of the (counter) anion was changed from 100% perchlorate to 90% nitrate and 10% perchlorate (by mole percent). To provide insight into these observations, polarization-modulation infrared refl

SUBMITTER: Hunter JT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4028125 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature