Temperature-controlled microscopy expert Linkam Scientific has been chosen by the chemistry department of the University of Manitoba to characterise liquid crystal composites in conjunction with SAXS.
The research goal of associate professor Torsten Hegmann's group is the fabrication of liquid crystal (LC) nanocomposites using functionalised metal or semiconductor nanoparticles as dopants in thermotropic amphiphilic and non-amphiphilic nematic, smectic and other types of liquid crystals.
Of particular interest is the design of LC nanocomposite materials - chiral and non-chiral - that will respond to external stimuli such as temperature and applied electric fields.
LCs are useful in a variety of applications, including flat-panel displays, light shutters, spatial light modulators and others), because external perturbations via applied electric fields as well as modified surfaces (for example, alignment layers) can cause significant changes in the macroscopic properties.
To achieve this, and to gain a fundamental understanding of the interactions between nanomaterials and LCs, Hegmann's lab is developing a systematic approach of functionalising NPs and LCs to fine-tune mutually beneficial interactions.
This approach will open up a new area of nanomaterials for developing new or improving existing electro-optical applications of LCs.
One of the most important techniques to characterise LCs is provided with a heating/cooling stage.
Having used several other Linkam stages in conjunction with other types of light microscopy, such as polarised and fluorescence confocal, and having published several peer-reviewed papers, Hegmann selected a special Linkam stage for SAXS studies.
One has been designed for vertical and another for horizontal mounting both transmission and grazing incidence experiments, respectively.
The latter enables an X-ray beam to be focused on a droplet of an LC to study aligned LC mono-domains.
This is possible as the heating block is flush with the external surface of the stage body, therefore allowing the horizontal X-ray beam interaction with the sample.
There are provisions for using capillary tubes and thin films for liquid sample mounting enabling experiment flexibility.
He said: 'Linkam is the best choice of stage because of its superior temperature control and less bulky control system.
'I like the open and flexible design, which will further enable me to modify these special SAXS stages for advanced experiments involving controlled pressure and vacuum,' he added.
The HFSX350-GI stage has a temperature range is -196C to +350C with a pressure range from atmospheric to 10e-3 millibar.
Two electrical connectors complete the stage to provide good experimental versatility.
