The efficiency of photomobile polymers (PMP) in the conversion of light into mechanical work plays a fundamental role in achieving cutting-edge innovation in the development of novel applications ranging from energy harvesting to sensor approaches. Because of their photochromic properties, azobenzene monomers have been shown to be an efficient material for the preparation of PMPs with appropriate photoresponsivity. Upon integration of the azobenzene molecules as moieties into a polymer, they act as an engine, allowing fast movements of up to 50 Hz. In this work we show a promising approach for integrating ZnO nanoparticles into a liquid crystalline polymer network. The addition of such nanoparticles allows the trapping of incoming light, which acts as diffusive points in the polymer matrix. We characterized the achieved nanocomposite material in terms of thermomechanical and optical properties and finally demonstrated that the doped PMP was better performing that the undoped PMP film.

Exploiting the unique anisotropy and fluidity of liquid crystals (LCs) enables the design of advanced hybrid nanomaterials for photonic applications. The intrinsic long-range order of the LCs matrix can act as a structural template, directing nanoscale dopants into well-defined geometrical configurations and enabling precise control over nanoparticle distribution. Here, we use an inverted hexagonal phase (H2) of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT), p-xylene, and a water dispersion of gold nanorods (AuNRs) to fabricate well-ordered nanomaterial assemblies. Scanning transmission electron microscopy of thin films reveals AuNR chains extending up to 30 μm in length with a mean interparticle spacing of about 5 nm and a 2D order parameter S2D = 0.96 ± 0.10. Correlative multiphoton and polarizing microscopy demonstrate a uniform arrangement of AuNRs within the central region of the sample thickness, particularly at the domain boundaries. The performed nanostructural characterization suggests the ordering mechanism and highlights the impact of anchoring forces on nanorod ordering and microstructure formation in the bulk sample.

Our exploratory studies [1-3] have shown that it is possible to fabricate Ni and Ni-Mo alloy coatings from deep eutectic solvents (DES) baths based on choline chloride and propylene glycol as materials for energy conversion. Therefore, we have mastered the electrodeposition process of Ni-based composite coatings, and we have a proven research methodology to investigate their electrocatalytic properties.