Magnetic field-responsive graphene oxide photonic liquids†

Modifying the environment around particles (e.g., introducing a secondary phase or external field) can affect the way they interact and assemble, thereby giving control over the physical properties of a dynamic system. Here, graphene oxide (GO) photonic liquids that respond to a magnetic field are demonstrated for the first time. Magnetic nanoparticles are used to provide a continuous magnetizable liquid environment around the GO liquid crystalline domains. In response to a magnetic field, the alignment of magnetic nanoparticles, coupled with the diamagnetic property of GO nanosheets, drives the reorientation and alignment of the nanosheets, enabling switchable photonic properties using a permanent magnet. This phenomenon is anticipated to be extendable to other relevant photonic systems of shape-anisotropic nanoparticles and may open up opportunities for developing GO-based optical materials and devices.