Thesis supervisor: Szabolcs Varga
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Institute of Physics and Mechatronics, University of Pannonia Abbreviation of location of studies: PE-FM
Description of the research topic:
Several types of anisotropic colloidal nanoparticles can be synthesized, where the shape of the particles can be rod-like, plate-like and even biaxial. It is even possible to create monodisperse and bidisperse suspensions. Such colloidal systems can exhibit isotropic, nematic and smectic phases with increasing concentration if the nanoparticle is enough anisotropic. Even demixing transition can occur in binary mixtures if the size and the shape of the components are very different. These phase transitions can be first or second order. The nematic phase, which is widely used in liquid crystal displays, can be even biaxial if the shape of the particles is biaxial. To understand the nature of biaxial ordering and the possibility of low-energy cost uniaxial-to-biaxial order switching is in the forefront of the scientific interest. Our purpose is to construct model systems and perform theoretical calculation, which allow us to get some insight into the elusive phase behaviour of colloidal nanoparticles.
The PhD student should examine the phase behaviour of mono- and bidisperse colloidal suspensions in bulk, where the shape of the uniaxial/biaxial nanoparticle is continuously changed between rod-like and plate-like shapes. To do this the overlap check between two hard particles should be developed and the density functional treatment or simulation method should be devised. The aim is to find low density biaxial nematic phases, which can be promoted by external nanoconfinement or electric/magnetic fields. In addition to this, the possibility of homeotropic-to-planar ordering in nano-size sandwich panels should be clarified.
Required language skills: english Further requirements: MSc in Physics or Material Sciences, good communication skills in English, both spoken and written
Deadline for application: 2020-05-31
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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