Effects of Gold Nanoparticle Dispersion in a Chiral Liquid Crystal Matrix

In this article, we report experimental studies on the effect of gold nanoparticle dispersion in a cholesteric liquid crystal matrix. Besides deeply affecting liquid crystal structural order upon inducing phase transition toward unexpected smectic-like phases, the presence of nanoparticles causes important changes in the liquid crystal electric properties, increasing liquid crystal conductivity and influencing ions diffusion.