journal article·2026-02-27Open access

Polymeric Photonic Crystals Containing 5CB Liquid Crystal: Synthesis and Characterization

Edina Rusen, Alexandra Mocanu, Oana Brincoveanu, Adrian Dinescu, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Raul Augustin Mitran, Adina Boldeiu, Aurel Diacon, Gabriela Toader, Doina Manaila-Maximean, Viorel Cîrcu

ACS Applied Polymer Materials· Volume 8· Issue 4

Abstract

The present study highlights the synthesis of a polymer nanocomposite obtained by soap-free emulsion polymerization in the presence of a liquid crystal (LC). The polymer used was styrene-acrylic acid (ST-AA), and the liquid crystal was 4-Cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl (5CB). The motivation for this study lies in the excellent application prospects in widespread advanced technology fields for the obtained polymer-5CB colloids and the possibility of implementing the synthesis method for other types of LCs. The influence of varying 5CB concentrations on polymerization, specifically on the types and sizes of the particles generated, was investigated. The SEM analysis supports the DLS data, and the TEM investigation reveals the core–shell structures of the particles, exhibiting a “golf ball”-like microstructure. In all cases, photonic crystal structures are formed. It is notable that, in addition to particles containing liquid crystal, a photonic structure is also obtained, as highlighted by UV–vis and SEM. A mechanism for the polymerization and formation was proposed in correlation with the GPC results. Additionally, polarized optical microscopy revealed that the polymeric nanocomposite film exhibited birefringence.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Liquid Crystal Research Advancements · Photonic Crystals and Applications · Pickering emulsions and particle stabilization

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 1-7 Gh. Polizu Street, Bucharest 011061, Romania

National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies (IMT Bucharest), 126A Erou Iancu Nicolae Street, Voluntari (Ilfov) 077190, Romania

Research Institute of the University of Bucharest (ICUB)

Research Center for Advanced Materials, Products and Processes, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, Bucharest 060042, Romania

“Ilie Murgulescu” Institute of Physical Chemistry, Romanian Academy, 202 Splaiul Independentei, Bucharest 060021, Romania

Military Technical Academy “Ferdinand I”, 39-49 G. Cosbuc Blvd., Bucharest 050141, Romania

Faculty of Applied Sciences, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 313 Spl. Independentei, Bucharest 060042, Romania

Academy of Romanian Scientists, 3 Ilfov, Bucharest 050044, Romania

Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Catalysis, University of Bucharest, 4-12 Regina Elisabeta Bld., Sector 5, Bucharest 030018, Romania

Funding

Ministerul Cercetarii, Inovarii si Digitalizarii · Unitatea Executiva pentru Finantarea Invatamantului Superior, a Cercetarii, Dezvoltarii si Inovarii

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