Preparation and photophysical properties of soft-nano composites comprising guest anatase TiO 2 nanoparticle and host hekates mesogens

Herein, we report on the preparation and photophysical properties of nano-soft solutions composites (colloidal suspensions) wherein anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles have been doped at different concentrations with liquid crystalline hekates derived from tris(N-salicylideneaniline) core. The requisite anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared and characterization by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Colloidal suspensions exhibited temperature dependent triple photoluminescence emission located at 492, 591 and 727 nm. Thermal quenching along with the influence of TiO₂ content on the photoluminescence is discussed.