Liquid Crystal-Templated Assembly of Colloids and Molecule

The research described in this thesis elucidates colloidal and interfacial science involving thermotropic liquid crystal (LC). The studies reported in this thesis fall under two categories: (i) LC-directed molecular self-assembly; and (ii) LC-mediated colloidal assembly and particle synthesis. Accordingly, the presentation of the research is organized into two parts.;In the first part, we describe molecular self-assembly directed by either topological defects or LC order (i.e., elasticity and surface anchoring) in bulk LCs. In this thesis, we report that nanoscopic environments defined by LC topological defects can selectively trigger processes of molecular self-assembly. By using fluorescence microscopy, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and super-resolution optical microscopy, key signatures of molecular self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules in topological defects are observed---including cooperativity, reversibility, and controlled growth of the molecular assemblies. Our results reveal that topological defects in LCs are a versatile class of three-dimensional, dynamic and reconfigurable templates that can direct processes of molecular self-assembly in a manner that is strongly analogous to other classes of macromolecular templates (e.g., polymer---surfactant complexes).;The second part builds on a recent discovery that LC droplets in LC-in-water emulsions can be utilized as templates for synthesis of spherical and non-spherical microparticles with chemical surface patches. Elastic forces are used to localize colloids at surfaces of water-dispersed LC droplets in a programmable manner. In addition, reversible adsorbate-driven ordering transitions in LC droplets are used to manipulate the positions of chemical patches. The utility of the approach is illustrated through synthesis of both "Janus-like" microparticles and magnetically-responsive patchy microdroplets of LC with either dipolar or quadrupolar symmetry that exhibit distinct optical responses upon application of an external magnetic field. Next, organized assemblies formed by colloids at the surface of water-dispersed LC microdroplets in a bipolar configuration are revealed. Finally, it is shown that remarkable control over the shape and surface morphology of polymer particles templated from LC microdroplets can be achieved through chemical manipulation of the configuration of the droplets.;Overall, the results reported in this thesis advance the understanding of LC-templated self-assembly of molecules and colloids, which will enable a broad range of functional and responsive materials.