Visualization of nematic liquid crystal director by alignment of π-conjugated polymer nanotubes

Furan-based π-conjugated polymer nanotubes were prepared by electrochemical polymerization in nematic liquid crystals (LC) electrolyte resulting in polymer nanotubes aligned with the nematic LC director. Electrochemical polymerization was carried out using the monomer-containing nematic electrolyte by injecting the mixture between sandwich indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass electrodes separated by a Teflon sheet. The results show that the optical texture of the nematic LC mixture remains unchanged upon voltage application. The presence of a small amount of water in the nematic electrolyte aids the formation of the tubular structure, and the monomer/water interface is considered to be important in the formation of nanotubes. The insolubility, infusibility, and stiffness of the polymer are considered to prevent reorganization after the polymerization process by effectively locking the order of polymer tubes oriented according to the nematic order.