Tuning phase retardation behaviour of nematic liquid crystal using quantum dot

• Self assembly of quantum dots in nematic liquid crystal.
• Induce ordering in nematic liquid crystal by quantum dots.
• High birefringence of QD dispersed NLC system attributed to induce ordering.

We here report on the phase retardation behavior of nematic liquid crystal (NLC) doped with CdSe quantum dot (QD). A study of birefringence and relative permittivity in 4-octyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (8CB) NLC and its variation with doping of QDs has been presented. The study shows improvement of NLC ordering after addition of QDs. The observed higher value of birefringence in QD doped NLC system has been attributed to improved alignment due to additional order in NLC by self assembled QDs. The improved order of NLC system has also been explained by a schematic illustration for pristine and QD doped NLC system. Study of relative permittivity has also revealed the ordering effect in QD dispersed NLC system.