Abstract:
Al2O3 nanoparticles causes a significant depression in the nematic-isotropic phase transition temperature (TNI). The gel-like suspensions are less sensitive to pre-shear and show a large structural recovery after shear when compared to Al2O3/silicone oil suspensions. At and above a critical nanoparticle ϕ = 0.005, the suspensions exhibit a reversible nematic-isotropic phase transition under the application of E.