Scientific divisions

Research

Research carried out in our Laboratory concern mechanisms of formation and stabilization of liquid crystal phases. In particular the analysis of the influence of many different factors (such as electric field, temperature, defects, polymer additives and surface interactions) on the physical properties of liquid crystals is performed. Our investigations include also the development of computer simulation methods to study soft matter particle systems.

The systems under investigation are such different mezophases as: nematics, smectics, cholesterics, frustrated chiral phases (TGB, BP), ferroelectric and antiferroelectric smectics, as well as cellulose-based liotropic superstructures. Investigations are focused on the description of structural, thermodynamic, optical, dielectric, electro-optic and visco-elastic properties of these phases as a function of frequency and strength of electric field, composition of material and temperature. Moreover, the modelling of the soft matter and simple liquids with computer simulation techniques (in particular, Molecular Dynamics MD, Brownian Dynamics BD, Monte Carlo MC) is carried out.

Examples of realized tasks

  1. Structural, dielectric, visco-elastic and electro-optic properties of chiral liquid crystals (blue phases especially)
  2. Self-organization in the systems of soft matter (liquid crystals, colloids)
  3. Nonlinear dynamic effects in surface-stabilized liquid crystals
  4. The influence of surface interactions on the physical properties of thin smectic liquid crystals
  5. Development of computer simulations methods (MD, BD, MC): deterministic thermostats and simulations of strongly confined particle systems
  6. Simulations of structural, thermodynamic and dynamic properties of soft matter and simple liquids systems
  7. Investigation of layered LC/cellulose-type structures

Research projects

  • The statutory project (2016 - 2018) - Physical properties of thin liquid crystal films - dr hab. A.C. Brańka, prof. IFM PAN
  • NCN project (OPUS 13) - Elastic properties of liquid crystal blue phases (2018 - 2021), project leader - dr hab. A.C. Brańka, prof. IFM PAN
  • NCN project (MINIATURA 1) - Preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline cellulose/liquid crystal systems (2017/2018), project leader -  dr inż. N. Bielejewska
  • Participation in the LIDER project (Edition VII) carried out by the Wood Technology Institute - New biopolymer adhesives modified with silanes and ionic liquids for application in wood-based materials technology (2017 - 2019), main worker/ investigator - dr inż. N. Bielejewska
  • NCN project (OPUS 3) - Stationary states in spatially limited microscopic systems: acoustic micro-voids and stimulated microgel molecules in microchannels (2013 - 2016), project leader - dr hab. A.C. Brańka, prof. IFM PAN
  • MNiSW project - Identification of a new type of de Vries phase (2010 - 2014), project leader - dr hab. J. Hoffmann, prof. IFM PAN

Equipment

Cooperation

  • Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Kosice, Slovakia
  • Institut fur Ferstkörperund Werkstofforschung, Dresden, Germany
  • Helmohltz Centrum Berlin, Germany
  • Instiutute of Physics, Silesian University, Katowice, Poland
  • Institute of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
  • Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Wrocław, Poland
  • Laboratoire de Physique de L,Etat Condense, CNRS, Universite du Maine, France

Equipment

  • Two PPMS systems (Physical Property Measurement System, Quantum Design) with following options:
    • heat capacity (1.9-400K, magnetic field up to 9T)
    • transport (electrical resistivity, magnetoresistance, Hall effect, angular dependences), thermopower and thermal conductivity measurements - all from 1.9K up to 400K and magnetic field up to 9T
    • ac/dc magnetometric measurements (magnetic susceptibility, magnetization); up to 1000K in the case of the dc measurements with the VSM option
  • Furnances for high-temperature synthesis (induction melting, arc melting)
  • Vacuum devices for amorphous ribbons preparation
  • Devices for mechanical alloying
  • Differential Scanning Calorimeter (Netzsch DSC 200) from 150 K to 1500 K
PPMS – versatile system
PPMS – versatile system
PPMS – versatile system magnetometer
PPMS – versatile system magnetometer

Research



Goals

The main scientific goal is to utilize selforganisation effect in order to fabricate new materials based on the highly ordered arrays of nanoparticles (mainly Fe, Co and Ni). Subsequently, to explore their catalytic, and more importantly, electron and magnetic properties. The examination of the properties, resulting from a selforganisation process of the nanodots or nanorods, will enable a deep insight into the physics of the low-dimensional systems: micromagnetism of the magnetic domains and domain walls, magnetic anisotropy at a zero and one dimensional systems. Additionally, MBE-fabricated systems may be utilized in e. g. nanoelectronics, catalysis and magnetic memories

Scientific profile

Preparation of the ultrathin films of metal oxides and metal-oxide nanostructures, ultrathin films and magnetic multilayers with the PVD techniques in the UHV conditions. Conducting the measurements of different physical properties and structural examination with the use of STM, LEED, RHEED techniques. The composition analysis is determined via XPS (ESCA). The examination of the metallic nanostructures originating from the selforganisation processes.

Scientific programmes

  • NCN Project - MAGNETyczne nanOstruktury tleNkowe (MAGNETON): badania eksperymentalne i teoretyczne (Magnetic Oxide Nanostructures: experimental and theoretical investigation) (2013-2016), leader - dr. M. Lewandowski
  • MNiSW Project - Wzrost i właściwości nanocząstek Au, Co i Ni na powierzchni cienkich warstw tlenków żelaza na Ru(0001) (Growth and Properties of the Au, Co and Ni Nanoparticles on the Ultrathin Iron Oxide Ffilms on Ru(0001)(2012-2015), leader - dr. M. Lewandowski
  • Main project - Nanostruktury metaliczne otrzymywane metodą samoorganizacji(Metallic nanostructers resulting from the selforganization) (2012-2015), leader - dr. hab. T. Luciński, prof. IFM PAN

Achievements

  • By perpendicular evaporation onto Ag(111) single crystal the arrays of iron nanorods and nanoislands (height of 60 nm) were fabricated
  • The structural mismatch influence on the growth and properties of the ultrathin layers of iron oxides on the single crystals Pt(111) and Ru(0001) was examined [M. Lewandowski et al., “Nanoscience Advances in CBRN Agents Detection, Information and Energy Security”, Eds. P. Petkov et al., Springer, 319 (2015)]
  • The investigation of the Moiré-type Fe and Co oxides structures, promoting the selforganization of the metallic particles (Au, Co Ni). The systems based on the ferromagnetic nanoparticles (Co and Ni) are particularly interesting due to their potential applications.   If self organized, such materials containing the arrays of magnetic nanodots or nanorods may be applied in the electronic devices (the electron transfer) or catalysis (electrically charged Au nanoparticles)
  • Chemical composition determination of the multiferroic BiFeO3 nanoflowers and the influence of the synthesis time on their composition
STM image of FeO(111)/Ru(0001)
STM image of FeO(111)/Ru(0001) (topography, 100 x 100 nm, -0.7V, 1.0 nA)

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