Nematic Emulsion: Optical Characterization

Checchetti Andrea^1, , Fantini Alessandro² and Lanzo Jessica³

¹Istituto d’Istruzione Superiore “Leonardo da Vinci”, San Giovanni in Fiore, 87055, Italy

²Liceo Scientifico “Enrico Fermi”, Catanzaro Lido, 88100, Italy

³Istituto Comprensivo “Scopelliti-Green”, Rosarno, 89025, Italy

Cite this paper

Checchetti Andrea, Fantini Alessandro and Lanzo Jessica. Nematic Emulsion: Optical Characterization. World Journal of Chemical Education. 2015; 3(3):78-81. doi: 10.12691/WJCE-3-3-5

Abstract

The aim of this experience was to utilize the Inquiry Based Science Education, (IBSE) in order to offer the students a better understanding of the light-matter interaction. We have followed the phase separation process in mixtures of an organic monomer and nematic liquid crystals. The systems form liquid crystal droplets in a liquid crystal-saturated monomer matrix and in some cases the emulsions are stable over several months. Homogeneous droplet size distributions are obtained for faster cooling rates. We report the droplet size distribution and the behavior of optical rotation angle of solutions as liquid crystal percentage function. This work is an essential part of an apprenticeship developed during the “Professione Formatore in Didattica delle Scienze” Master, which takes place at the University of Calabria, with the authors taking part in it as trainees and that is gonna end in the month of October 2015.

Keywords

IBSE (Inquiry-Based Science Education), Malus Law’s, birefringence, optical rotation angle

Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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