Soft Nanocomposites in Electronic and Optical Devices
A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 December 2019) | Viewed by 234
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The ability to controllably combine conventional hard nanoscale materials with a soft host phase opens up an enormous range of possibilities for innovation in electronic and optical materials and devices. Applications include switchable/responsive coatings and films, sensitive electro-optical or magnetic sensors, photovoltaics and novel optical components. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in developing polymer and liquid crystal nanocomposites that incorporate the functionality of included nanoparticles into a complex fluid base material such that the composite is amenable to device manufacture in a variety of geometries. For example, plasmon resonance in metallic particles can be used to create thermally responsive polymers, reorient liquid crystal molecules or break capsules for controlled release. Quantum dots can be assembled into mesoscale structures and bulk phases with highly tunable optical properties. To achieve the necessary spatial control of nanoparticles for use in devices, researchers must gain expertise in particle dispersion and controlled assembly in complex solvents. This has largely been achieved by novel approaches to ligand design and the development of advanced assembly methods, focusing in detail on the nanoscale interactions between surface-modified particles and the host phase.
This Special Issue of Nanomaterials will focus on the latest developments in the use of soft nanocomposites for cutting-edge optical and electronic devices and aims to cover a broad range of perspectives and exciting new technologies. Submissions may describe significant advances in nanoparticle use for potential device applications on all length-scales. Suitable topics include fundamental ligand design and synthesis, nanoparticle/host phase interactions, defect and phase transition-based assembly methods, mesoscale structural assembly and device design and evaluation.
Prof. Linda S. Hirst
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- nanoparticles
- nanomaterials
- quantum dots
- polymer
- liquid crystal
- soft nanocomposites
- photovoltaics
- sensor
- photonic
- mesoscale
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