Chiroptical studies on nanoparticle-liquid crystal composites

Chiroptical material is an intriguing and rapidly evolving field in nanomaterial research to alter and improve the optical interaction of hybrid composites with incident light. In this regard, new molecular design strategies and new self-assembled structures of chiral nanoparticles (NPs) or nanorods (NRs) in composition with liquid crystal (LC) matrix have been developed for technological advancement in displays, sensors, development of hybrid materials for optical applications and others. With the emphasis on the chiroptical activities of NPs or NRs in LC systems, this review provides insight into the structure-property and composition-property relationships governing NP-LC interactions, which may point to new directions for major improvements of chiral nanomaterial research.