It is well known that addition of a small amount of nanoparticles to liquid crystals may enhance their nonlinear optical properties. To date, in most reports, semiconductor- or metallic-core nanoparticles in LCs have been described. Here, we report on the synthesis of two types of novel nanoparticles based on a cubic siloxane cage (RSiO_3/2)₈, known as polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane (POSS) with the Si–O skeleton surrounded by covalently attached eight groups (R) of azo-benzene mesogenes differing in the length of their aliphatic chains. These dielectric-core nanoparticles substituted with mesogenic groups are well adapted to the calamitic liquid crystal matrix. Azo-benzene units add an important light-driven functionality to the system via their conformational photoisomerisation. We report on the photochromic properties of these new compounds in chloroform. By embedding the nanoparticles in a nematic liquid crystalline matrix, a functional hybrid nanocomposite material has been obtained. Our research was focused on the characterization of the third order nonlinear optical properties in this system linked to photochromism. The experimental results of all-optical switching in an optical Kerr effect configuration are discussed in the framework of light-induced modification of the aliphatic chains containing azo-benzene photoisomerizing moieties and following local director reorientation in nematic liquid crystals. The described properties are useful in the field of real-time holography.

The effect of incorporation of octakis({alkyl}dimethylsiloxy)octasilsesquioxanes molecules with n-octyl, n-octadecyl and 4-methyl-hexyl substituents on thermal properties of polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was investigated. Thermal properties of those composite materials were evaluated by means of the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) methods. The type and mass% content of POSS nanofillers influenced the crystallization and melting properties as well as thermal stability of the obtained polyolefin nanocomposites. The incorporated POSS particles—acting as nucleating agents—improved the crystallization process of those polyolefin materials. The POSS nanofiller with n-octyl substituents turned out the most effective nucleating agent. The addition of POSS nanofiller particles into the polyolefin matrix affected the melting behavior of the nanocomposites obtained, decreasing their melting temperatures. Thermal stability under nitrogen as well as in air atmosphere was most significantly enhanced for polyolefin nanocomposites contained the POSS with n-octadecyl substituents. That may result from improved compatibility of the POSS structure with long n-alkyl chain substituents at the silicon–oxygen core. The uniform dispersion of the long n-alkyl chain-substituted POSS was confirmed by SEM analysis.