Dynamic behaviour in suspensions of magnetic nanoplatelets and their liquid crystalline hybrids

Ferromagnetic liquid crystalline suspensions of scandium-doped barium hexaferrite (Sc-BaHF) nanoplatelets exhibit intricate magnetic dynamics and robust magnetic response, making them promising for use in novel magnetooptical devices. We explore magnetic dynamics, optical properties and self-assembly of these liquid magnets employing optical imaging and magnetic susceptometry in oscillating (AC) fields. The dynamics of the optical response and the formation of magnetohydrodynamic patterns in AC magnetic fields were studied using optical microscopy. The observations are discussed in the light of magnetic dynamics and orientational order.