Anisotropy of the solvent self-diffusion tensor as a probe of nematic ordering within dispersions of nanocomposites -: art. no. 208302

The anisotropy of the solvent self-diffusion coefficient within suspensions of nanoparticles is measured by H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance with pulsed field gradient and used as a new procedure to detect nematic ordering. The potentiality of this method is illustrated using aqueous clay dispersions whose nematic ordering was already detected by Na-23 quadrupolar splitting.