Stimuli-responsive hydroxyapatite liquid crystal with macroscopically controllable ordering and magneto-optical functions

Masanari Nakayama, Satoshi Kajiyama, Akihito Kumamoto, Tatsuya Nishimura, Yuichi Ikuhara, Masafumi Yamato and Takashi Kato ()
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Masanari Nakayama: The University of Tokyo
Satoshi Kajiyama: The University of Tokyo
Akihito Kumamoto: The University of Tokyo
Tatsuya Nishimura: The University of Tokyo
Yuichi Ikuhara: The University of Tokyo
Masafumi Yamato: Tokyo Metropolitan University
Takashi Kato: The University of Tokyo

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Liquid crystals are mostly formed by self-assembly of organic molecules. In contrast, inorganic materials available as liquid crystals are limited. Here we report the development of liquid-crystalline (LC) hydroxyapatite (HAp), which is an environmentally friendly and biocompatible biomineral. Its alignment behavior, magneto-optical properties, and atomic-scale structures are described. We successfully induce LC properties into aqueous colloidal dispersions of rod-shaped HAp by controlling the morphology of the material using acidic macromolecules. These LC HAp nanorod materials are macroscopically oriented in response to external magnetic fields and mechanical forces. We achieve magnetic modulation of the optical transmission by dynamic control of the LC order. Atomic-scale observations using transmission electron microscopy show the self-organized inorganic/organic hybrid structures of mesogenic nanorods. HAp liquid crystals have potential as bio-friendly functional materials because of their facile preparation, the bio-friendliness of HAp, and the stimuli-responsive properties of these colloidal ordered fluids.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-02932-7

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