Quantum Dot Nanoshells in Single Droplets of Liquid Cryastal

A common goal of nanoparticle research is to assemble nanoparticles into useful macroscopic structures. Nanoparticles that are dispersed in nematic liquid crystal exhibit predictable behavior; the nanoparticles assemble in regions of low order (topological defects) of the liquid crystal domain. We can use the isotropic-nematic phase transition of 4-Cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) to drive freely dispersed nanoparticles into intricate structures such as nanoparticle hollow shells, but there is need to have control over the dimensions of the shells. In our experiments we demonstrate that we can form individual shells out of quantum dots inside a single droplet of 5CB. We are able to see that there is a positive correlation between the shell size and thickness to the size of the droplet when we fit the data linearly. From this data we can also suggest that there is a threshold size of liquid crystal droplet at which must be met before a hollow shell will form over a solid cluster of quantum dots.