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

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 u

SUBMITTER: Nakayama M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5805687 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature