Amplifying inorganic chirality using liquid crystals

Abstract

Chiral inorganic nanostructures have drawn extensive attention thanks to their unique physical properties as well as multidisciplinary applications. Amplifying inorganic chirality using liquid crystals (LCs) is an efficient way to enhance the parented inorganic asymmetry owing to chirality transfer. Herein, the universal synthetic methods and structural characterizations of chiral inorganic-doped LC hybrids are introduced. Additionally, the current progress and status of recent experiment and theory research about chiral interactions between inorganic nanomaterials (e.g. metal, semiconductor, perovskite, and magnetic oxide) and LCs are summarized in this review. We further present representative applications of these new hybrids in the area of encryption, sensing, optics, etc. Finally, we provide perspectives on this field in terms of material variety, new synthesis, and future practice. It is envisaged that LCs will act as a pivotal part in the amplification of inorganic chirality with versatile applications.