Fractionating nanorod suspensions by aspect ratio strongly affects liquid crystal formation without affecting gelation, in contrast to expectations from the classic percolation-based model. Gelation is rather triggered by increasing the counterion concentration until the CNCs lose colloidal stability. As a consequence, we significantly extend the regime where we can study equilibrium liquid crystal behavior without risking arrest into a gel state.
- Camila Honorato-Rios
- Claudius Lehr
- Jan P. F. Lagerwall
