1
|
Hussain S, Al-Tabban A, Zourob M. Aptameric photonic structure-based optical biosensor for the detection of microcystin. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 260:116413. [PMID: 38815464 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
An optical photonic biosensor for the detection of microcystin (MC) has been developed using an aptamer-immobilized interpenetrating polymeric network (IPNaptamer) intertwined with solid-state cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCsolids). The IPN was constructed with a polyacrylic acid hydrogel (PAA). Aptamer immobilization enhances polarity while blocking hydrogen bonding between the carboxylic groups of PAA-IPN hydrogel, thereby increasing the swelling ratio of the PAA-IPN hydrogel. This leads to an expansion in the helical pitch of the corresponding IPNaptamer-CLCsolid biosensor chip and results in a red-shift in the reflected color. Upon exposure to an aqueous MC solution, the IPNaptamer-CLCsolid biosensor chip exhibits aptamer-mediated engulfment of MC, resulting in reduced polarity of the IPNaptamer complex and a consequential blue-shift in the biosensor chip color occurred. The wavelength shift of the IPNaptamer-CLCsolid biosensor chip demonstrates a linear change with an increase in MC concentration from 3.8 to 150 nM, with a limit of detection of 0.88 nM. This novel optical biosensor is characterized by its low cost, simplicity, selectivity, and sensitivity, offering a promising strategy for designing similar toxin biosensors through the modification of biological receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saddam Hussain
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Alfaisal University, Al-Maather, 11533, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Awatef Al-Tabban
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Alfaisal University, Al-Maather, 11533, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Zourob
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Alfaisal University, Al-Maather, 11533, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Balamut B, Hughes RP, Aprahamian I. Tuning the Properties of Hydrazone/Isosorbide-Based Switchable Chiral Dopants. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:24561-24569. [PMID: 39163573 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c07848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
The long-range supramolecular interactions in liquid crystals (LCs) can be used to amplify and subsequently propagate microscopic structural changes into macroscopic events. Here, we report on a systematic structure-property analysis using 16 chiral photoswitchable dopants composed of bistable hydrazones and chiral isosorbide moieties. Our findings showcase the relationship between the dopant's structure and its helical twisting power (β), and hence, the photophysical properties of the host LC. We show that an increase in the hydrazone CNNH dihedral angle results in an increase in the β value, while alkoxy chains do not lead to such an increase. These results contradict established rules of thumb, stating that structural rigidity and long alky chains are needed for high β values. We also found that the position of the substitution, whether at the 2' or 5' positions of the isosorbide unit, or the attachment of the chiral unit to the rotor or stator phenyl units can have negative or positive additive effects that can either increase or decrease the β values. These results made us hypothesize that unsymmetrically functionalized dopants should result in large Δβ values, which we corroborated experimentally. Moreover, a fluorine-functionalized dopant resulted in higher overall β values, most likely because of π-π interactions. Finally, the dopants were used in modulating and locking in the reflective properties of LC films, yielding multicolor LC canvases that can reflect light from the ultraviolet to the infrared range (i.e., a manipulation of up to ca. 1500 nm of reflected light).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Balamut
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, 6128 Burke Laboratory, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
| | - Russell P Hughes
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, 6128 Burke Laboratory, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
| | - Ivan Aprahamian
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, 6128 Burke Laboratory, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tseng HK, Wu PC, Lee W. Bicolor Tuning and Hyper-Reflective Color Switching Based on Two Stacked Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Cells with Asymmetric Electrothermal Optical Responses. Molecules 2024; 29:2607. [PMID: 38893483 PMCID: PMC11173795 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
We propose a double-cell cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) device composed of a left-handed (LH) CLC cell with a pair of sheet electrodes and a right-handed (RH) CLC cell with a tri-electrode configuration characterized by a sheet electrode on the top and an interdigitated electrode on the bottom substrates. Bi-reflected color tuning and hyper-reflective color switching are revealed from this cell stack via the electrothermal control of the central wavelengths of the LH- and RH-bandgaps by voltage-induced pseudo-dielectric heating. The two CLCs are thermally sensitive and exhibit overlapped bandgaps in the field-off state with nearly identical temperature dependence, resulting in a hyper-reflective color at 720 nm at 23.4 °C and 380 nm at 29.8 °C. Upon the application of 4 Vrms at 2 MHz across the stacked device to induce pseudo-dielectric heating, two reflective colors can be resolved due to asymmetrical temperature elevations. Accordingly, the difference in wavelength between the two colors increases with increasing voltage through a series cell connection, while maintaining approximately constant via a parallel connection. This study provides a feasible pathway to developing a multifunctional device with electrothermally tunable bi-reflected and hyper-reflective states based on two conventional cell geometries, which is promising for lasers and color-related display applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wei Lee
- Institute of Imaging and Biomedical Photonics, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Guiren Dist., Tainan 711010, Taiwan; (H.-K.T.); (P.-C.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sentjens H, Lub J, Kragt AJJ, Schenning APHJ. Impact of Endcap Molecules on Temperature-Responsive Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Oligomers in Structural Color Stability and Hypsochromic Shift. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202304236. [PMID: 38265541 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202304236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Cholesteric liquid crystal oligomers are an interesting class of temperature responsive structurally colored materials. However, the role of endcap molecules in these oligomers is rather unexplored. In this work, we demonstrate the role of endcap molecules on structural color stability and hypsochromic shift in temperature-responsive cholesteric liquid crystal oligomers. First, new liquid crystal monoacrylate endcap molecules are synthesized, which are then used to synthesize various cholesteric liquid crystal oligomers. In addition, cholesteric oligomers using commercial monoacrylate endcap molecules are also prepared. It is found that the molecular weight and the polydispersity of the oligomers can be tuned by the endcapping molecules. The oligomers are used to produce reflective, structurally colored coatings. It was found that the coatings using the commercial monoacrylate lose their color and crystallize over time, most likely due to the presence of crystalline dimers. The coatings containing the newly synthesized monoacrylate endcap molecules did not exhibit this crystallization, resulting in structurally colored coatings that remained stable over time. These latter coatings possessed temperature responsive hypochromic behavior, which makes them interesting for advanced optical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henk Sentjens
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Groene Loper 3, 5612 AE, Eindhoven, The, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Groene Loper 3, 5612 AE, Eindhoven, The, Netherlands
| | - Johan Lub
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Groene Loper 3, 5612 AE, Eindhoven, The, Netherlands
| | - Augustinus J J Kragt
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Groene Loper 3, 5612 AE, Eindhoven, The, Netherlands
- ClimAd Technology, Valkenaerhof 68, 6538 TE, Nijmegen, The, Netherlands
| | - Albert P H J Schenning
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Groene Loper 3, 5612 AE, Eindhoven, The, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Groene Loper 3, 5612 AE, Eindhoven, The, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jia S, Tao T, Xie Y, Yu L, Kang X, Zhang Y, Tang W, Gong J. Chirality Supramolecular Systems: Helical Assemblies, Structure Designs, and Functions. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2307874. [PMID: 37890278 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202307874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Chirality, as one of the most striking characteristics, exists at various scales in nature. Originating from the interactions of host and guest molecules, supramolecular chirality possesses huge potential in the design of functional materials. Here, an overview of the recent progress in structure designs and functions of chiral supramolecular materials is present. First, three design routes of the chiral supramolecular structure are summarized. Compared with the template-induced and chemical synthesis strategies that depend on accurate molecular identification, the twisted-assembly technique creates chiral materials through the ordered stacking of the nanowire or films. Next, chirality inversion and amplification are reviewed to explain the chirality transfer from the molecular level to the macroscopic scale, where the available external stimuli on the chirality inversion are also given. Lastly, owing to the optical activity and the characteristics of the layer-by-layer stacking structure, the supramolecular chirality materials display various excellent performances, including smart response, shape-memorization, superior mechanical performance, and applications in biomedical fields. To sum up, this work provides a systematic review of the helical assemblies, structure design, and applications of supramolecular chirality systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengzhe Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Tiantian Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yujiang Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Liuyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Xiang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Weiwei Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry Science and Engineering, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Junbo Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry Science and Engineering, Tianjin, 300072, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Radka BP, Lee T, Smalyukh II, White TJ. The association of structural chirality and liquid crystal anchoring in polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:1815-1823. [PMID: 38305433 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01558k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals (PSCLCs) are electrically reconfigurable reflective elements. Prior studies have hypothesized and indirectly confirmed that the electro-optic response of these composites is associated with the electrically mediated distortion of the stabilizing polymer network. The proposed mechanism is based on the retention of structural chirality in the polymer stabilizing network, which upon deformation is spatially distorted, which accordingly affects the pitch of the surrounding low molar-mass liquid crystal host. Here, we utilize fluorescent confocal polarized microscopy to directly assess the electro-optic response of PSCLCs. By utilizing dual fluorescent probes, sequential imaging experiments confirm that the periodicity of the polymer stabilizing network matches that of the low molar-mass liquid crystal host. Further, we isolate distinct ion-polymer interactions that manifest in certain photopolymerization conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Radka
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Taewoo Lee
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Ivan I Smalyukh
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and University of Colorado, Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Timothy J White
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Malotke F, Thiele T, Gutmann JS, Giese M. Direct Digital Photonic Patterning of Hydrogen-Bonded Cholesteric Liquid-Crystalline Films. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37917042 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c10684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
A modular tool box for photoresponsive cholesteric liquid crystals based on hydrogen-bonded assemblies is reported. By employing 3-azopyridines as photoswitch in cholesteric liquid-crystalline thin films, a fast and reversible blue shift is observed upon irradiation, allowing tuning of the structural color over the whole visible electromagnetic spectrum. Investigations of the materials via X-ray diffraction studies indicate that the blue shift is attributed to the photoinduced destruction of smectic clusters in the cholesteric phase, resulting in a contraction of the helical structure. Unprecedently, the use of a stereolithography 3D printer (SLA) allowed direct transfer of digital information into a multicolor photonic pattern, an important step toward photonic imaging and data storage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Malotke
- University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 7, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Tobias Thiele
- University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 7, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Jochen S Gutmann
- University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 7, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Michael Giese
- University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 7, 45141 Essen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zaplotnik J, Mur U, Malkar D, Ranjkesh A, Muševič I, Ravnik M. Photonic eigenmodes and transmittance of finite-length 1D cholesteric liquid crystal resonators. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16868. [PMID: 37803161 PMCID: PMC10558490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43912-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholesteric liquid crystals exhibit a periodic helical structure that partially reflects light with wavelengths comparable to the period of the structure, thus performing as a one-dimensional photonic crystal. Here, we demonstrate a combined experimental and numerical study of light transmittance spectra of finite-length helical structure of cholesteric liquid crystals, as affected by the main system and material parameters, as well as the corresponding eigenmodes and frequency eigenspectra with their Q-factors. Specifically, we have measured and simulated transmittance spectra of samples with different thicknesses, birefringences and for various incident light polarisation configurations as well as quantified the role of refractive index dispersion and the divergence of the incident light beam on transmittance spectra. We identify the relation between transmittance spectra and the eigenfrequencies of the photonic eigenmodes. Furthermore, we present and visualize the geometry of these eigenmodes and corresponding Q-factors. More generally, this work systematically studies the properties of light propagation in a one-dimensional helical cholesteric liquid crystal birefringent profile, which is known to be of interest for the design of micro-lasers and other soft matter photonic devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaka Zaplotnik
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urban Mur
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Deepshika Malkar
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Amid Ranjkesh
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Muševič
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miha Ravnik
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wang T, Zhao J, Wu L, Liu W, Li Y, Yang Y. Polymer-Stabilized Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Films with Double Reflection Bands Prepared Based on the Competition between Photopolymerization and Photoisomerization. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:44314-44321. [PMID: 37674445 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c09576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Composite colors have been widely found in nature. Herein, polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal (PSCLC) films with composite structural colors were prepared through a one-step photopolymerization approach. The CLC mixtures were prepared using a mixture of acrylates and a mixture of two chiral dopants. One of the chiral dopants is polymerizable, and the other one is photoisomerizable. After photopolymerization, the PSCLC films with double Bragg reflection bands were obtained on the surface of a substrate. The competition between the photopolymerization of the acrylates and the photoisomerization of the chiral dopant was proposed to drive the formation of the double reflection bands. Without oxygen inhibition, the polymerization of the acrylates near the substrate surface was carried out. However, due to oxygen inhibition, the polymerization of the acrylates near the air was retarded. Then, the photoisomerization of the chiral dopant was carried out prior to the polymerization of the acrylates. The wavelengths of the double reflection bands were tunable by changing the concentrations of the acrylates and chiral dopants and the polymerization temperature. Colorful patterns with composite structural colors were prepared, which were suitable for decoration and anti-counterfeiting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Wang
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Jinghua Zhao
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Limin Wu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224051, P. R. China
| | - Wei Liu
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Yi Li
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Yonggang Yang
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Li L, Wen ZB, Li D, Xu ZY, Shi LY, Yang KK, Wang YZ. Fabricating Freestanding, Broadband Reflective Cholesteric Liquid-Crystal Networks via Topological Tailoring of the Sm-Ch Phase Transition. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:21425-21434. [PMID: 37079877 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c00931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Numerous biological systems in nature provide much inspiration for humanity to master diverse coloration strategies for creating stimuli-responsive materials and display devices, such as to access gorgeous structural colors from well-defined photonic structures. Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) are a fascinating genre of photonic materials displaying iridescent colors responsive to circumstance changes; however, it is still a big challenge to design materials with broadband color variation as well as good flexibility and freestanding capacity. Herein, we report a feasible and flexible strategy to fabricate cholesteric liquid-crystal networks (CLCNs) with precise colors across the entire visible spectrum through molecular structure tailoring and topology engineering and demonstrate their application as smart displays and rewritable photonic paper. Influences of chiral and achiral LC monomers on the thermochromic behaviors of CLC precursors as well as on the topology of the polymerized CLCNs are systematically investigated, demonstrating that the monoacrylate achiral LC facilitated the formation of a smectic phase-chiral phase (Sm-Ch) pretransitional phase in the CLC mixture and improved the flexibility of the photopolymerized CLCNs. High-resolution multicolor patterns in one CLCN film are generated through photomask polymerization. In addition, the freestanding CLCN films show perceivable mechanochromic behaviors and repeated erasing-rewriting performances. This work opens avenues toward the realization of pixelated colorful patterns and rewritable CLCN films promising in technology fields ranging from information storage and smart camouflage to anti-counterfeiting and smart display.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Li
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Zhi-Bin Wen
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dong Li
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Zhi-Yuan Xu
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Ling-Ying Shi
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Ke-Ke Yang
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Yu-Zhong Wang
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lee KM, Marsh ZM, Crenshaw EP, Tohgha UN, Ambulo CP, Wolf SM, Carothers KJ, Limburg HN, McConney ME, Godman NP. Recent Advances in Electro-Optic Response of Polymer-Stabilized Cholesteric Liquid Crystals. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:2248. [PMID: 36984126 PMCID: PMC10053326 DOI: 10.3390/ma16062248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLC) are molecules that can self-assemble into helicoidal superstructures exhibiting circularly polarized reflection. The facile self-assembly and resulting optical properties makes CLCs a promising technology for an array of industrial applications, including reflective displays, tunable mirror-less lasers, optical storage, tunable color filters, and smart windows. The helicoidal structure of CLC can be stabilized via in situ photopolymerization of liquid crystal monomers in a CLC mixture, resulting in polymer-stabilized CLCs (PSCLCs). PSCLCs exhibit a dynamic optical response that can be induced by external stimuli, including electric fields, heat, and light. In this review, we discuss the electro-optic response and potential mechanism of PSCLCs reported over the past decade. Multiple electro-optic responses in PSCLCs with negative or positive dielectric anisotropy have been identified, including bandwidth broadening, red and blue tuning, and switching the reflection notch when an electric field is applied. The reconfigurable optical response of PSCLCs with positive dielectric anisotropy is also discussed. That is, red tuning (or broadening) by applying a DC field and switching by applying an AC field were both observed for the first time in a PSCLC sample. Finally, we discuss the potential mechanism for the dynamic response in PSCLCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Min Lee
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH 45433, USA
- Azimuth Corporation, Beavercreek, OH 45431, USA
| | - Zachary M. Marsh
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH 45433, USA
- Azimuth Corporation, Beavercreek, OH 45431, USA
| | - Ecklin P. Crenshaw
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH 45433, USA
- Azimuth Corporation, Beavercreek, OH 45431, USA
| | - Urice N. Tohgha
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH 45433, USA
- Azimuth Corporation, Beavercreek, OH 45431, USA
| | - Cedric P. Ambulo
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH 45433, USA
- Azimuth Corporation, Beavercreek, OH 45431, USA
| | - Steven M. Wolf
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH 45433, USA
- Azimuth Corporation, Beavercreek, OH 45431, USA
| | - Kyle J. Carothers
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH 45433, USA
- Azimuth Corporation, Beavercreek, OH 45431, USA
| | - Hannah N. Limburg
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH 45433, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Michael E. McConney
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH 45433, USA
| | - Nicholas P. Godman
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH 45433, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Boychuk A, Shibaev V, Cigl M, Hamplová V, Novotná V, Bobrovsky A. Large Thermally Irreversible Photoinduced Shift of Selective Light Reflection in Hydrazone-Containing Cholesteric Polymer Systems. Chemphyschem 2023:e202300011. [PMID: 36861819 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202300011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Stimuli responsive liquid crystalline polymers are a unique class of so-called "smart" materials demonstrating various types of mesomorphic structures easily controlled by external fields, including light. In the present work we synthesized and studied a comb-shaped hydrazone-containing copolyacrylate exhibited cholesteric liquid crystalline properties with the pitch length of the helix being tuned under irradiation with light. In the cholesteric phase selective light reflection in the near IR spectral range (1650 nm) was measured and a large blue shift of the reflection peak from 1650 nm to 500 nm was found under blue light (428 or 457 nm) irradiation. This shift is related to the Z-E isomerization of photochromic hydrazone-containing groups and it is photochemically reversible. The improved and faster photo-optical response was found after copolymer doping with 10 wt % of low-molar-mass liquid crystal. It is noteworthy that both, the E and Z isomers of hydrazone photochromic group are thermally stable that enable to achieve a pure photoinduced switch without any dark relaxation at any temperatures. The large photoinduced shift of the selective light reflection, together with thermal bistability, makes such systems promising for applications in photonics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Artem Boychuk
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Valery Shibaev
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Martin Cigl
- Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 1999/2 Na Slovance, 182 20, Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Vĕra Hamplová
- Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 1999/2 Na Slovance, 182 20, Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimíra Novotná
- Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 1999/2 Na Slovance, 182 20, Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Alexey Bobrovsky
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Boychuk A, Shibaev V, Cigl M, Hamplová V, Pociecha D, Bubnov A, Bobrovsky A. The role of lateral substituent size in azobenzene chromophores on photo- and chiro-optical properties of photoactive polymethacrylates. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2023.114689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
|
14
|
Froyen AAF, Schenning APHJ. A multifunctional structural coloured electronic skin monitoring body motion and temperature. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:361-365. [PMID: 36625272 PMCID: PMC9846708 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01503j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Multifunctional e-skins provide information on physiological and environmental parameters. However, the development and fabrication of such devices is challenging. Here, structural coloured electronic skins are presented, which are prepared via scalable methods that can simultaneously monitor the skin temperature and body motion when patched onto the human skin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arne A F Froyen
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Albert P H J Schenning
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
- SCNU-TUE Joint Laboratory of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM), South China Normal University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bao N, Gold JI, Sheavly JK, Schauer JJ, Zavala VM, Van Lehn RC, Mavrikakis M, Abbott NL. Ordering Transitions of Liquid Crystals Triggered by Metal Oxide-catalyzed Reactions of Sulfur Oxide Species. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:16378-16388. [PMID: 36047705 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c03424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Liquid crystals (LCs), when supported on reactive surfaces, undergo changes in ordering that can propagate over distances of micrometers, thus providing a general and facile mechanism to amplify atomic-scale transformations on surfaces into the optical scale. While reactions on organic and metal substrates have been coupled to LC-ordering transitions, metal oxide substrates, which offer unique catalytic activities for reactions involving atmospherically important chemical species such as oxidized sulfur species, have not been explored. Here, we investigate this opportunity by designing LCs that contain 4'-cyanobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid (CBCA) and respond to surface reactions triggered by parts-per-billion concentrations of SO2 gas on anatase (101) substrates. We used electronic structure calculations to predict that the carboxylic acid group of CBCA binds strongly to anatase (101) in a perpendicular orientation, a prediction that we validated in experiments in which CBCA (0.005 mol %) was doped into an LC (4'-n-pentyl-4-biphenylcarbonitrile). Both experiment and computational modeling further demonstrated that SO3-like species, produced by a surface-catalyzed reaction of SO2 with H2O on anatase (101), displace CBCA from the anatase surface, resulting in an orientational transition of the LC. Experiments also reveal the LC response to be highly selective to SO2 over other atmospheric chemical species (including H2O, NH3, H2S, and NO2), in agreement with our computational predictions for anatase (101) surfaces. Overall, we establish that the catalytic activities of metal oxide surfaces offer the basis of a new class of substrates that trigger LCs to undergo ordering transitions in response to chemical species of relevance to atmospheric chemistry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nanqi Bao
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Jake I Gold
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Jonathan K Sheavly
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - James J Schauer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States.,Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Victor M Zavala
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Reid C Van Lehn
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Manos Mavrikakis
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Nicholas L Abbott
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Froyen AA, Grossiord N, de Heer J, Meerman T, Yang L, Lub J, Schenning APHJ. Ink-Deposited Transparent Electrochromic Structural Colored Foils. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:39375-39383. [PMID: 35984641 PMCID: PMC9437895 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c11106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite progress in the field of electrochromic devices, developing structural color-tunable photonic systems having both high transparency and flexibility remains challenging. Here, an ink-deposited transparent electrochromic structural colored foil displaying reflective colors, tuned by an integrated heater, is prepared in a single-substrate method. Efficient and homogeneous heating is induced by a gravure printed silver nanowire-based substrate, delivering an electrothermal response upon applying an electrical potential. On top of this flexible, transparent heater, a cholesteric liquid crystal ink is bar-coated and subsequently photopolymerized, yielding a structural colored film that exhibits temperature-responsive color changes. The transparent electrochromic foils appear colorless at room temperature but demonstrate structural color tuning with high optical quality when modifying the electrical potential. Both optical and electrothermal performances were preserved when deforming the foils. Applying the conductive and structural colored inks via the easy processable, continuous methods of gravure printing and bar-coating highlights the potential for scaling up to large-scale stimuli-responsive, transparent optical foils. These transparent structural colored foils can be potentially used for a wide range of photonic devices including smart windows, displays, and sensors and can be directly installed on top of curved, flexible surfaces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arne A.
F. Froyen
- Stimuli-Responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute
for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven
University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Nadia Grossiord
- Stimuli-Responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- SABIC, Plasticslaan 1, 4612 PX, Bergen op Zoom, The
Netherlands
| | - Jos de Heer
- SABIC, Plasticslaan 1, 4612 PX, Bergen op Zoom, The
Netherlands
| | - Toob Meerman
- SABIC, Plasticslaan 1, 4612 PX, Bergen op Zoom, The
Netherlands
| | - Lanti Yang
- SABIC, Plasticslaan 1, 4612 PX, Bergen op Zoom, The
Netherlands
| | - Johan Lub
- Stimuli-Responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albert P. H. J. Schenning
- Stimuli-Responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute
for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven
University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- SCNU-TUE
Joint Laboratory of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM),
South China Normal University, Guangzhou
Higher Education Mega Center, 510006 Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhang P, de Haan LT, Debije MG, Schenning APHJ. Liquid crystal-based structural color actuators. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2022; 11:248. [PMID: 35931672 PMCID: PMC9356073 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-022-00937-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Animals can modify their body shape and/or color for protection, camouflage and communication. This adaptability has inspired fabrication of actuators with structural color changes to endow soft robots with additional functionalities. Using liquid crystal-based materials for actuators with structural color changes is a promising approach. In this review, we discuss the current state of liquid crystal-based actuators with structural color changes and the potential applications of these structural color actuators in soft robotic devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pei Zhang
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Laurens T de Haan
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- SCNU-TUE Joint Lab of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Michael G Debije
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Albert P H J Schenning
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- SCNU-TUE Joint Lab of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Yang X, Lv J, Zhang J, Shen T, Xing T, Qi F, Ma S, Gao X, Zhang W, Tang Z. Tunable Circularly Polarized Luminescence from Inorganic Chiral Photonic Crystals Doped with Quantum Dots. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202201674. [PMID: 35499962 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202201674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Chiral semiconductor nanostructures have received enormous attention due to their emerging circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties. However, compared with well-studied photoluminescence (PL), the reported CPL is much weaker and more challenging to be modulated. Herein, we describe a new approach for acquiring the intense and tunable CPL from inorganic chiral photonic crystals (CPCs) doped with semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). Unprecedentedly, the sign, position and intensity of CPL peaks can be precisely controlled by manipulating either the photonic band gap of CPCs or luminescence wavelength of QDs and a giant absolute dissymmetry factor |glum | up to 0.25 is obtained. More importantly, the origin of the CPL modulation is clearly elucidated by both experiment and theory. This work lays the foundation for the construction of next-generation high-performance CPL-based devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuekang Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jiawei Lv
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Institute of Applied Chemistry, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, P. R. China
| | - Tianxi Shen
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, 325000, P. R. China
| | - Tingyang Xing
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, 325000, P. R. China
| | - Fenglian Qi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Shaohua Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoqing Gao
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, 325000, P. R. China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics, Beijing, 100088, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyong Tang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Uchida J, Soberats B, Gupta M, Kato T. Advanced Functional Liquid Crystals. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2109063. [PMID: 35034382 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202109063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystals have been intensively studied as functional materials. Recently, integration of various disciplines has led to new directions in the design of functional liquid-crystalline materials in the fields of energy, water, photonics, actuation, sensing, and biotechnology. Here, recent advances in functional liquid crystals based on polymers, supramolecular complexes, gels, colloids, and inorganic-based hybrids are reviewed, from design strategies to functionalization of these materials and interfaces. New insights into liquid crystals provided by significant progress in advanced measurements and computational simulations, which enhance new design and functionalization of liquid-crystalline materials, are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junya Uchida
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Bartolome Soberats
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Balearic Islands, Cra. Valldemossa Km. 7.5, Palma de Mallorca, 07122, Spain
| | - Monika Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takashi Kato
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
- Research Initiative for Supra-Materials, Shinshu University, Wakasato, Nagano, 380-8553, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Yang X, Lv J, Zhang J, Shen T, Xing T, Qi F, Ma S, Gao X, Zhang W, Tang Z. Tunable Circularly Polarized Luminescence from Inorganic Chiral Photonic Crystals Doped with Quantum Dots. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202201674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuekang Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience National Center for Nanoscience and Technology Beijing 100190 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| | - Jiawei Lv
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience National Center for Nanoscience and Technology Beijing 100190 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Institute of Applied Chemistry Shanxi University Taiyuan 030006 P. R. China
| | - Tianxi Shen
- Wenzhou Institute University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Wenzhou 325000 P. R. China
| | - Tingyang Xing
- Wenzhou Institute University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Wenzhou 325000 P. R. China
| | - Fenglian Qi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience National Center for Nanoscience and Technology Beijing 100190 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| | - Shaohua Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience National Center for Nanoscience and Technology Beijing 100190 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| | - Xiaoqing Gao
- Wenzhou Institute University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Wenzhou 325000 P. R. China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics Beijing 100088 P. R. China
| | - Zhiyong Tang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience National Center for Nanoscience and Technology Beijing 100190 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Radka BP, Lee KM, Godman NP, White TJ. Electro-optic characteristics of stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals with non-liquid crystalline polymer networks. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:3013-3018. [PMID: 35355040 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00203e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Extensive prior research has explored the stabilization of the CLC phase with polymer networks. These prior efforts have demonstrated both tunable and switchable electro-optic reconfiguration of the selective reflection of the CLC phase. Recently, we and other groups have detailed that polymer stabilization of the CLC phase with liquid crystalline monomers retains "structural" chirality (e.g., the chiral phase templates the morphology of the achiral polymer network). Here, we demonstrate that structural chirality can be retained in aliphatic, non-liquid crystalline monomers. PSCLCs prepared by photoinitiated polymerization of aliphatic polymer networks exhibit reversible electro-optic responses. Facilitated by the retention of structural chirality in aliphatic stabilizing polymer networks, we explore the role of surface affinity and crosslink density in the transfer of structural chirality to the liquid crystal media.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Radka
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Kyung Min Lee
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH 4543, USA
- Azimuth Corporation, 2970 Presidential Drive, Suite 200, Beavercreek, OH 45324, USA
| | - Nicholas P Godman
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH 4543, USA
| | - Timothy J White
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Yue L, Shi X, Zhou G, de Haan LT. Controlling the Phase Behavior and Reflection of Main-Chain Cholesteric Oligomers Using a Smectic Monomer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063275. [PMID: 35328697 PMCID: PMC8951454 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) are a significant class of temperature-responsive photonic materials that have the ability to selectively reflect light of a specific wavelength. However, the fabrication of main-chain CLC oligomers with dramatic reflection band variation upon varying the temperatures remains a challenge. Here, a feasible method for improving and controlling the responsiveness of main-chain cholesteric liquid crystal oligomers by the incorporation of a smectic monomer is reported. The smectic monomer strengthens the smectic character of the oligomers and enhances the magnitude of the change of the pitch as a function of temperature upon approaching the cholesteric–smectic phase transition temperature. The central wavelength of the reflection band can be easily modified by mixing in an additional chiral dopant. This promising method will open the door to the preparation of temperature-responsive photonic devices with excellent responsiveness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lansong Yue
- SCNU-TUE Joint Lab of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (L.Y.); (X.S.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiuyi Shi
- SCNU-TUE Joint Lab of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (L.Y.); (X.S.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guofu Zhou
- SCNU-TUE Joint Lab of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (L.Y.); (X.S.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Correspondence: (G.Z.); (L.T.d.H.); Tel.: +86-0203-931-4813 (G.Z. & L.T.d.H.)
| | - Laurens T. de Haan
- SCNU-TUE Joint Lab of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (L.Y.); (X.S.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Correspondence: (G.Z.); (L.T.d.H.); Tel.: +86-0203-931-4813 (G.Z. & L.T.d.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Xie M, Zhang Z, Zhao Y, Yu M, Jiang F, Chen L, Hong M. A copper(I) thiolate coordination polymer with thermochromic and mechanochromic luminescence. INORG CHEM COMMUN 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2022.109432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
24
|
Del Pozo M, Sol JAHP, Schenning APHJ, Debije MG. 4D Printing of Liquid Crystals: What's Right for Me? ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2104390. [PMID: 34716625 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202104390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have seen major advances in the developments of both additive manufacturing concepts and responsive materials. When combined as 4D printing, the process can lead to functional materials and devices for use in health, energy generation, sensing, and soft robots. Among responsive materials, liquid crystals, which can deliver programmed, reversible, rapid responses in both air and underwater, are a prime contender for additive manufacturing, given their ease of use and adaptability to many different applications. In this paper, selected works are compared and analyzed to come to a didactical overview of the liquid crystal-additive manufacturing junction. Reading from front to back gives the reader a comprehensive understanding of the options and challenges in the field, while researchers already experienced in either liquid crystals or additive manufacturing are encouraged to scan through the text to see how they can incorporate additive manufacturing or liquid crystals into their own work. The educational text is closed with proposals for future research in this crossover field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Del Pozo
- Laboratory for Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials & Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Groene Loper 3, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen A H P Sol
- Laboratory for Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials & Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Groene Loper 3, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Albert P H J Schenning
- Laboratory for Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials & Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Groene Loper 3, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper 3, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Michael G Debije
- Laboratory for Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials & Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Groene Loper 3, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
Smart soft materials are envisioned to be the building blocks of the next generation of advanced devices and digitally augmented technologies. In this context, liquid crystals (LCs) owing to their responsive and adaptive attributes could serve as promising smart soft materials. LCs played a critical role in revolutionizing the information display industry in the 20th century. However, in the turn of the 21st century, numerous beyond-display applications of LCs have been demonstrated, which elegantly exploit their controllable stimuli-responsive and adaptive characteristics. For these applications, new LC materials have been rationally designed and developed. In this Review, we present the recent developments in light driven chiral LCs, i.e., cholesteric and blue phases, LC based smart windows that control the entrance of heat and light from outdoor to the interior of buildings and built environments depending on the weather conditions, LC elastomers for bioinspired, biological, and actuator applications, LC based biosensors for detection of proteins, nucleic acids, and viruses, LC based porous membranes for the separation of ions, molecules, and microbes, living LCs, and LCs under macro- and nanoscopic confinement. The Review concludes with a summary and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for LCs as smart soft materials. This Review is anticipated to stimulate eclectic ideas toward the implementation of the nature's delicate phase of matter in future generations of smart and augmented devices and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hari Krishna Bisoyi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Quan Li
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States.,Institute of Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and Jiangsu Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Ku K, Hisano K, Yuasa K, Shigeyama T, Akamatsu N, Shishido A, Tsutsumi O. Effect of Crosslinkers on Optical and Mechanical Behavior of Chiral Nematic Liquid Crystal Elastomers. Molecules 2021; 26:6193. [PMID: 34684774 PMCID: PMC8537399 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26206193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chiral nematic (N*) liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are suitable for fabricating stimuli-responsive materials. As crosslinkers considerably affect the N*LCE network, we investigated the effects of crosslinking units on the physical properties of N*LCEs. The N*LCEs were synthesized with different types of crosslinkers, and the relationship between the N*LC polymeric system and the crosslinking unit was investigated. The N*LCEs emit color by selective reflection, in which the color changes in response to mechanical deformation. The LC-type crosslinker decreases the helical twisting power of the N*LCE by increasing the total molar ratio of the mesogenic compound. The N*LCE exhibits mechano-responsive color changes by coupling the N*LC orientation and the polymer network, where the N*LCEs exhibit different degrees of pitch variation depending on the crosslinker. Moreover, the LC-type crosslinker increases the Young's modulus of N*LCEs, and the long methylene chains increase the breaking strain. An analysis of experimental results verified the effect of the crosslinkers, providing a design rationale for N*LCE materials in mechano-optical sensor applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyosun Ku
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu 525-8577, Japan
| | - Kyohei Hisano
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu 525-8577, Japan
| | - Kyoko Yuasa
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu 525-8577, Japan
| | - Tomoki Shigeyama
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu 525-8577, Japan
| | - Norihisa Akamatsu
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Atsushi Shishido
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Osamu Tsutsumi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu 525-8577, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Labeeb AM, Ward YA, Fikry M. Thermal control of tunable photonic optical bandgaps in different cholesteric liquid crystals mixtures. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.117179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
28
|
Jiang SA, Wang CH, Zhang YS, Mo TS, Huang SY, Hsieh XL, Wong YJ, Lin JD, Lee CR. Control of Large-Area Orderliness of a 2D Supramolecular Chiral Microstructure by a 1D Interference Field. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:44916-44924. [PMID: 34514781 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c12575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Self-organized periodic micro/nanostructures caused by stimulus-responsive structural deformation often occur in anisotropic self-assembled supramolecular systems (e.g., liquid crystal systems). However, the long-range orderliness of these structures is often beyond control. In this article, we first demonstrate that a large-area disordered two-dimensional (2D) microgrid chiral structure appears in the cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) reactive mixture because of the photopolymerization-induced Helfrich deformation effect under exposure to the single UV-laser beam. The result is attributed to the impact of an internal longitudinal strain, which is caused by the pitch contraction of the CLC-monomer region through the continuing compression of the thickening CLC polymer layer adhered on the illuminated substrate of the sample during photopolymerization. The experimental results further show that a one-dimensional (1D) UV-laser interference field can be used to effectively control the postformed 2D microgrid structure to arrange in an orderly manner throughout the large exposed area (an order of centimeter). The optimum ability for controlling the orderliness of the microgrid structure can be achieved if the spacing width of the interference field approximates the periodicity of the postformed 2D microgrids. Several factors, such as the pitch of the CLC mixture and the included angle and intensity of the two interfering laser beams, which influence the orderliness and properties of the 2D microgrid structure, are explored in this study. The result of this research opens a new page to improve the applicability of the Helfrich deformation phenomenon and further provides a reference platform for manipulating, modifying, and even tailoring periodic micro/nanostructures in self-organized supramolecular soft-matter systems for application in advanced optics/photonics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shun-An Jiang
- Department of Photonics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701401, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hsiang Wang
- Department of Photonics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701401, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Song Zhang
- Department of Photonics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701401, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Shan Mo
- Department of Materials Engineering, Kun Shan University of Technology, Tainan 710303, Taiwan
| | - Shuan-Yu Huang
- Department of Optometry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402367, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402367, Taiwan
| | - Xiang-Lin Hsieh
- Department of Photonics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701401, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jun Wong
- Department of Photonics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701401, Taiwan
| | - Jia-De Lin
- Department of Opto-Electronic Engineering, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 974301, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Rong Lee
- Department of Photonics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701401, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Kim H, Choi J, Kim KK, Won P, Hong S, Ko SH. Biomimetic chameleon soft robot with artificial crypsis and disruptive coloration skin. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4658. [PMID: 34376680 PMCID: PMC8355336 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24916-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of an artificial camouflage at a complete device level remains a vastly challenging task, especially under the aim of achieving more advanced and natural camouflage characteristics via high-resolution camouflage patterns. Our strategy is to integrate a thermochromic liquid crystal layer with the vertically stacked, patterned silver nanowire heaters in a multilayer structure to overcome the limitations of the conventional lateral pixelated scheme through the superposition of the heater-induced temperature profiles. At the same time, the weaknesses of thermochromic camouflage schemes are resolved in this study by utilizing the temperature-dependent resistance of the silver nanowire network as the process variable of the active control system. Combined with the active control system and sensing units, the complete device chameleon model successfully retrieves the local background color and matches its surface color instantaneously with natural transition characteristics to be a competent option for a next-generation artificial camouflage. Realizing an artificial camouflage device with a high spatial resolution by adapting to the surrounding environment in real-time is a challenging task, mainly associated with device fabrication and integration with sensor and control circuits. To overcome these limitations, the authors utilize thermochromic liquid crystal ink that reacts to the feedback control system of the vertically stacked silver nanowire heater.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyeonseok Kim
- Applied Nano and Thermal Science Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joonhwa Choi
- Applied Nano and Thermal Science Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyun Kyu Kim
- Applied Nano and Thermal Science Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Phillip Won
- Applied Nano and Thermal Science Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sukjoon Hong
- Optical Nanoprocessing Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, BK21 FOUR ERICA-ACE Center, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
| | - Seung Hwan Ko
- Applied Nano and Thermal Science Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. .,Institute of Advanced Machinery and Design (SNU-IAMD)/Institute of Engineering Research, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Zhao DX, Jiang Q, Wang J, Qiu Y, Liao YG, Xie XL. Visible Light and Temperature Regulated Reflection Colors in Self-supporting Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Physical Gels. CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10118-021-2618-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
31
|
Chen Y, Lu P, Li Z, Yuan Y, Ye Q, Zhang H. Dual Stimuli-Responsive High-Efficiency Circularly Polarized Luminescence from Light-Emitting Chiral Nematic Liquid Crystals. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:56604-56614. [PMID: 33274914 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c17241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Considerable luminescence dissymmetry factor (glum) is vital for application implementation of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials. Moreover, a dual CPL switch has promising prospects in high-security encryption and sensor devices. Herein, we designed and synthesized an emissive chiral nematic liquid crystal (N*-LC) by doping a luminescent chiral additive (NO2-CS-C6-Chol) into a nematic liquid crystal (5CB). The helical assembly structure produced by inducing the formation of N*-LC endows the prepared emissive N*-LC with a larger glum value. With the increase of the doping concentration from 1 to 10 wt %, the helical pitch (P) of N*-LC gradually decreases from 25.48 to 3.92 μm. The corresponding glum value increases first, reaches the maximum value (-0.38) at 6 wt %, and then decreases slightly. Further, the prepared emissive N*-LC doped with 6 wt % NO2-CS-C6-Chol is injected into an indium-tin oxide (ITO)-coated LC cell, to which a direct current (DC) electric field is applied. The glum value can be repeatedly shuttled between the "on" and "off" state by adjusting the applied voltage. Meanwhile, owing to the inherent thermal dependence of the liquid crystal phase structure, the glum value can also be switched between the on and off state by regulating the temperature. Therefore, an electrically controlled and thermocontrolled dual CPL switching device is successfully constructed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youde Chen
- Key Laboratory of Polymeric Materials and Application Technology of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Materials of Colleges and Universities of Hunan Province, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, Hunan, China
| | - Peng Lu
- Key Laboratory of Polymeric Materials and Application Technology of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Materials of Colleges and Universities of Hunan Province, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, Hunan, China
| | - Zhiyan Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yongjie Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Polymeric Materials and Application Technology of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Materials of Colleges and Universities of Hunan Province, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, Hunan, China
| | - Qiang Ye
- Key Laboratory of Polymeric Materials and Application Technology of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Materials of Colleges and Universities of Hunan Province, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, Hunan, China
| | - Hailiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Polymeric Materials and Application Technology of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Materials of Colleges and Universities of Hunan Province, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, Hunan, China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Zhang X, Koz B, Bisoyi HK, Wang H, Gutierrez-Cuevas KG, McConney ME, Bunning TJ, Li Q. Electro- and Photo-Driven Orthogonal Switching of a Helical Superstructure Enabled by an Axially Chiral Molecular Switch. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:55215-55222. [PMID: 33237715 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c19527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Self-organized functional soft materials, enabled by specific chemical architectures, are currently attracting tremendous attention because of their stimuli-responsive attributes and applications in advanced technological devices. A novel axially chiral molecular switch containing two azo linkages and six terminal alkyl chains on two elongated rod-shaped wings, that exhibits superior solubility, high helical twisting power, and reversible photoisomerization in an achiral liquid crystal host, is synthesized and utilized in the development of a photoresponsive, self-organized helical superstructure, that is, cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC). The planar CLC adopts a standing helix (SH) configuration because of surface alignment layers on the substrates. This SH can be transitioned to a lying helix configuration, enabling tunable diffraction gratings under the application of electric field. Adjustment of the initial pitch of the planar CLC by photoirradiation yields the diffraction gratings with stripes either parallel or perpendicular to the rubbing direction upon the application of an appropriate electric field. Tunable beam steering along orthogonal directions has been demonstrated. Such tunable stimuli-responsive soft materials fabricated with artificial chiral switches show great potential in optics, photonics, and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinfang Zhang
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent 44242, Ohio, United States
| | - Banu Koz
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent 44242, Ohio, United States
- Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University, Karaman 70200, Turkey
| | - Hari Krishna Bisoyi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent 44242, Ohio, United States
| | - Hao Wang
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent 44242, Ohio, United States
| | - Karla G Gutierrez-Cuevas
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent 44242, Ohio, United States
| | - Michael E McConney
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB 45433, Ohio, United States
| | - Timothy J Bunning
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB 45433, Ohio, United States
| | - Quan Li
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent 44242, Ohio, United States
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Wang L, Urbas AM, Li Q. Nature-Inspired Emerging Chiral Liquid Crystal Nanostructures: From Molecular Self-Assembly to DNA Mesophase and Nanocolloids. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e1801335. [PMID: 30160812 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201801335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystals (LCs) are omnipresent in living matter, whose chirality is an elegant and distinct feature in certain plant tissues, the cuticles of crabs, beetles, arthropods, and beyond. Taking inspiration from nature, researchers have recently devoted extensive efforts toward developing chiral liquid crystalline materials with self-organized nanostructures and exploring their potential applications in diverse fields ranging from dynamic photonics to energy and safety issues. In this review, an account on the state of the art of emerging chiral liquid crystalline nanostructured materials and their technological applications is provided. First, an overview on the significance of chiral liquid crystalline architectures in various living systems is given. Then, the recent significant progress in different chiral liquid crystalline systems including thermotropic LCs (cholesteric LCs, cubic blue phases, achiral bent-core LCs, etc.) and lyotropic LCs (DNA LCs, nanocellulose LCs, and graphene oxide LCs) is showcased. The review concludes with a perspective on the future scope, opportunities, and challenges in these truly advanced functional soft materials and their promising applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling Wang
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Augustine M Urbas
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 45433, USA
| | - Quan Li
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Avşar DI, Bukusoglu E. Chameleon skin-inspired polymeric particles for the detection of toluene vapor. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:8683-8691. [PMID: 32870228 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01289k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Inspired by the structural coloring in nature, especially the crystalline ordering and responsive characteristics of those found in chameleon skins, artificial photonic materials for sensor applications were fabricated. Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) were employed in the templated synthesis of polymeric particles with periodic structures that allow visible light to undergo Bragg reflection and their response was tested against volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We demonstrate that the particles were responsive against toluene with detection limits on the order of 100 ppm. Such sensitivity was shown to be achieved due to the critical steps followed during the CLC-templated synthesis of particles that resulted in the storage of elastic energy in the anisotropic glassy polymer network. In addition, the design of particle-assisted sensor chips that allow easy integration into wearable optical devices for reliable, continuous and online tracking of VOC concentrations is presented. These results proved that sensors developed from the CLC-templated particles can be used multiple times without a significant loss of sensitivity and offered rapid, sensitive and battery-free detection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Işınsu Avşar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Dumlupınar Bulvarı No. 1, Çankaya, Ankara, 06800, Turkey.
| | - Emre Bukusoglu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Dumlupınar Bulvarı No. 1, Çankaya, Ankara, 06800, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Lee KM, Rumi M, Mills MS, Reshetnyak V, Evans DR, Bunning TJ, McConney ME. A Different Perspective on Cholesteric Liquid Crystals Reveals Unique Color and Polarization Changes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:37400-37408. [PMID: 32672040 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c09845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Planar cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) are well known for having vibrant reflective coloration that is associated with the handedness and the pitch length of the helicoidal twist of the liquid crystalline molecules. If one observes these films at oblique angles, the reflected colors blue-shift with increasing angles from normal. On the other hand, uniform lying helix (ULH) CLCs, where the helicoidal axis lies in the plane of the substrate, are well-known but are not typically associated with vibrant colors. Here, we examine the unique optical properties of CLCs at oblique incidence angles, specifically the spectral and polarization changes associated with switching between planar and ULH CLCs for various incidence angles. At small angles of incidence (0° < ψ < 45°, where ψ is the angle of incidence relative to the surface normal at the substrate-CLC interface), the electrically driven helical reorientation from planar to ULH results in a blue-shifting of the color and circularly polarized to unpolarized switching behavior. At large angles (45° < ψ < 90°), the behavior is reversed, with a red-shifting color change occurring and the polarization switching from unpolarized to circularly polarized. Modeling of the light propagation through ULH CLCs is used to confirm the change in position and polarization characteristic of the reflection band with incidence angle observed experimentally. This study provides a new perspective on ULH CLCs and reveals a unique reconfigurable angular chromaticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Min Lee
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
- Azimuth Corporation, 2970 Presidential Drive, Suite 200, Fairborn, Ohio 45324, United States
| | - Mariacristina Rumi
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
- Azimuth Corporation, 2970 Presidential Drive, Suite 200, Fairborn, Ohio 45324, United States
| | - Matthew S Mills
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Victor Reshetnyak
- Theoretical Physics Department, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, 64 Volodymyrska Street, Kyiv 01601, Ukraine
| | - Dean R Evans
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Timothy J Bunning
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Michael E McConney
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Li Z, Wang D, Gao H, Cao H, Zhao Y, Miao Z, Yang Z, He W. Application of double click to prepare near-infrared absorbing dye for photo-thermal tuning of cholesteric liquid crystal. REACT FUNCT POLYM 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2020.104549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
37
|
Farooq MA, Wei W, Xiong H. Chiral Photonic Liquid Crystalline Polyethers with Widely Tunable Helical Superstructures. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:3072-3079. [PMID: 32167775 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c00304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystalline polymers with tunable structures on the scale of visible wavelength are important in optical technology due to their enhanced mechanical stability, processability, and structural integrity. Herein, we report a series of cholesteric liquid crystalline (CLC) polyethers with a widely tunable pitch length and a broad CLC phase window through a bottom-up structural design. The well-defined multicomponent polyethers were successfully synthesized by utilizing monomer-activated anionic ring-opening polymerization. Through adjustment of the composition of chiral cholesteryl (Ch) and photochromic azobenzene (Az) mesogenic moieties, rich phase behaviors have been discovered, and a phase boundary diagram was constructed consequently, wherein cholesteric helical superstructures in a broad composition range and temperature window straight down to the glassy state at room temperature were achieved. Particularly, the planar oriented helical superstructures can exhibit widely tunable and switchable reflections over the entire visible range across red, green, and blue colors through temperature and light control, which are closely related to the extraordinary flexibility of the polyether backbone. Their thermo-light dual-responsive properties provide an alternative opportunity to fabricate smart and switchable polymeric LC materials for optical applications.
Collapse
|
38
|
Color tuning in thermo-sensitive chiral photonic liquid crystals based on the pseudo-dielectric heating effect. J Mol Liq 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2019.112082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
39
|
Li J, Bisoyi HK, Lin S, Guo J, Li Q. 1,2-Dithienyldicyanoethene-Based, Visible-Light-Driven, Chiral Fluorescent Molecular Switch: Rewritable Multimodal Photonic Devices. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:16052-16056. [PMID: 31487106 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201908832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Reported here is the first example of a 1,2-dithienyldicyanoethene-based visible-light-driven chiral fluorescent molecular switch that exhibits reversible trans to cis photoisomerization. The trans form in solution almost completely transforms into the cis form, accompanied by a 10-fold decrease in its fluorescence intensity within 60 seconds when exposed to green light (520 nm). The reverse isomerization proceeds upon irradiation with blue light (405 nm). When doped into commercially available achiral liquid crystal hosts, this molecular switch efficiently induces luminescent helical superstructures, that is, a cholesteric phase. The intensity of the circularly polarized fluorescence as well as the selective reflection wavelength of the induced cholesteric phases can be reversibly tuned using visible light of two different wavelengths. Optically rewritable photonic devices using cholesteric films containing this molecular switch are described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juntao Li
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Hari Krishna Bisoyi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Siyang Lin
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jinbao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Quan Li
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Li J, Bisoyi HK, Lin S, Guo J, Li Q. 1,2‐Dithienyldicyanoethene‐Based, Visible‐Light‐Driven, Chiral Fluorescent Molecular Switch: Rewritable Multimodal Photonic Devices. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201908832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juntao Li
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional PolymersMinistry of Education, and College of Materials Science and EngineeringBeijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing 100029 China
| | - Hari Krishna Bisoyi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary ProgramKent State University Kent OH 44242 USA
| | - Siyang Lin
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional PolymersMinistry of Education, and College of Materials Science and EngineeringBeijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing 100029 China
| | - Jinbao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional PolymersMinistry of Education, and College of Materials Science and EngineeringBeijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing 100029 China
| | - Quan Li
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary ProgramKent State University Kent OH 44242 USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Kim YK, Noh J, Nayani K, Abbott NL. Soft matter from liquid crystals. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:6913-6929. [PMID: 31441481 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm01424a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystals (LCs) are fluids within which molecules exhibit long-range orientational order, leading to anisotropic properties such as optical birefringence and curvature elasticity. Because the ordering of molecules within LCs can be altered by weak external stimuli, LCs have been widely used to create soft matter systems that respond optically to electric fields (LC display), temperature (LC thermometer) or molecular adsorbates (LC chemical sensor). More recent studies, however, have moved beyond investigations of optical responses of LCs to explore the design of complex LC-based soft matter systems that offer the potential to realize more sophisticated functions (e.g., autonomous, self-regulating chemical responses to mechanical stimuli) by directing the interactions of small molecules, synthetic colloids and living cells dispersed within the bulk of LCs or at their interfaces. These studies are also increasingly focusing on LC systems driven beyond equilibrium states. This review presents one perspective on these advances, with an emphasis on the discovery of fundamental phenomena that may enable new technologies. Three areas of progress are highlighted; (i) directed assembly of amphiphilic molecules either within topological defects of LCs or at aqueous interfaces of LCs, (ii) templated polymerization in LCs via chemical vapor deposition, an approach that overcomes fundamental challenges related to control of LC phase behavior during polymerization, and (iii) studies of colloids in LCs, including chiral colloids, soft colloids that are strained by LCs, and active colloids that are driven into organized states by dissipation of energy (e.g. bacteria). These examples, and key unresolved issues discussed at the end of this perspective, serve to convey the message that soft matter systems that integrate ideas from LC, surfactant, polymer and colloid sciences define fertile territory for fundamental studies and creation of future transformative technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Young-Ki Kim
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 113 Ho Plaza, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA. and Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyengbuk 37673, Korea
| | - JungHyun Noh
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 113 Ho Plaza, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
| | - Karthik Nayani
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 113 Ho Plaza, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
| | - Nicholas L Abbott
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 113 Ho Plaza, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Kragt AJ, Zuurbier NCM, Broer DJ, Schenning AP. Temperature-Responsive, Multicolor-Changing Photonic Polymers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:28172-28179. [PMID: 31290319 PMCID: PMC6689893 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b08827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
A new principle is developed to fabricate temperature-responsive, multicolor photonic coatings that are capable of switching color. The coating is composed of a non-cross-linked liquid crystal siloxane-based elastomer that is interpenetrated through an acrylate-based liquid crystal network. Discrete temperature changes induce phase separation and mixing between the siloxane and the acrylate polymers and change the reflective colors correspondingly. The temperature-responsive color change of the coatings can be programmed by the processing conditions and coating formulation, which allows for the fabrication of photopatterned multicolor images. The photonic ink can be coated on flexible poly(ethylene terephthalate) films using roll-to-roll flexographic printing, making these temperature-responsive, multicolor-changing polymers appealing for applications such as responsive color decors, optical sensors, and anticounterfeit labels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Augustinus
J. J. Kragt
- Stimuli-responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Eindhoven
University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- SCNU-TUE
Joint Laboratory of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM),
Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, South China Normal University, 510006 Guangzhou, China
- Institute
for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven
University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Nadia C. M. Zuurbier
- Stimuli-responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Eindhoven
University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute
for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven
University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk J. Broer
- Stimuli-responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Eindhoven
University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- SCNU-TUE
Joint Laboratory of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM),
Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, South China Normal University, 510006 Guangzhou, China
- Institute
for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven
University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albert P.H.J. Schenning
- Stimuli-responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Eindhoven
University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- SCNU-TUE
Joint Laboratory of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM),
Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, South China Normal University, 510006 Guangzhou, China
- Institute
for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven
University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Ranjkesh A, Yoon TH. Fabrication of a Single-Substrate Flexible Thermoresponsive Cholesteric Liquid-Crystal Film with Wavelength Tunability. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:26314-26322. [PMID: 31242728 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b05112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Recently, single-substrate flexible liquid crystal (LC) devices have attracted considerable attention because they can provide desirable shapes, small weight, flexibility, and rollability. In this work, we fabricate a flexible single-substrate thermoresponsive cholesteric LC (CLC) film by a facile method called photoenforced stratification method. Our fabricated single-substrate CLC film consists of microscale polymer containers filled with a CLC solution. Our results showed that the temperature response of the fabricated single-substrate CLC film depends on the chiral material doped into the CLC solution. The single-substrate ultrathin CLC film exhibits very high flexibility and robustness without performance reduction. The fabricated flexible single-substrate CLC film may pave the way for the development of novel technologies for thermoresponsive devices with changeable shapes and designs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amid Ranjkesh
- Department of Electronics Engineering , Pusan National University , Busan 46241 , Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Hoon Yoon
- Department of Electronics Engineering , Pusan National University , Busan 46241 , Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Jahanbakhsh F, Lorenz A. Fast copolymer network liquid crystals for tunable birefringence colors. APPLIED OPTICS 2019; 58:5587-5594. [PMID: 31504031 DOI: 10.1364/ao.58.005587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A fast-switching, tunable color filter was found in a copolymer network liquid crystal (LC), which was in situ generated in a conventional LC test cell with parallel aligned glass plates and investigated with polarized light. Polarization filters were used to convert the tunable optical phase retardance of the test cells to birefringence colors as is always possible in a LC test cell with carefully adjusted cell gap and effective birefringence. The cell gap of the samples could be adjusted to a value of 9 μm, which is not easily possible in a polymer LC composite without creating defects. In these samples, the typical pastel colors seen frequently in birefringent samples could be avoided. The transmittance spectra were recorded and converted to CIE 1931 color coordinates, which showed that the colors seen had a reasonable distance to the white point. The electro-optic switching times of the samples were investigated: Fast responses of t on +t off <5 ms were found, which is an impressive speed for tunable birefringence colors in LCs and LC composites. Upon increasing addressing voltages, a blueshift of the peak seen in the transmittance spectra was observed. The samples consisted of copolymer network LC, generated from a reactive mixture with mesogenic monomer and nonmesogenic comonomer. The tunable color was seen selectively in samples with dodecyl acrylate as comonomer. The experiments show how even a straightforward electro-optic experiment still can result in unexpended findings, which may expand the use of LC composites in nondisplay applications. The polymer morphology in samples with a larger cell gap was investigated with scanning electron microscopy, and interdefect distances of ≈40 μm were found. The appearance of defects in test cells with a cell gap of 9 μm could be avoided because the cell gap was much smaller than the measured interdefect distances in test cells with a larger cell gap.
Collapse
|
45
|
Wang H, Bisoyi HK, Urbas AM, Bunning TJ, Li Q. Reversible Circularly Polarized Reflection in a Self-Organized Helical Superstructure Enabled by a Visible-Light-Driven Axially Chiral Molecular Switch. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:8078-8082. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b03231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Hari Krishna Bisoyi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Augustine M. Urbas
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Timothy J. Bunning
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Quan Li
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Zhang B, Lin X, You Y, Hu X, de Haan L, Zhao W, Zhou G, Yuan D. Flexible thermal responsive infrared reflector based on cholesteric liquid crystals and polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals. OPTICS EXPRESS 2019; 27:13516-13525. [PMID: 31052872 DOI: 10.1364/oe.27.013516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we fabricated a temperature-responsive infrared reflector that adjusts to temperature changes by changing its transmittance of incident IR light. The device utilized a thermally induced change in the pitch of a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) to achieve near-infrared light reflection in a particular wavelength range. In addition, a polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal (PSCLC) was used as an alternative to further optimize the device performance. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was used as the substrate material to allow the reflector to be flexible. The light transmission performance of the reflector at different bending angles was explored, and no significant effect was found. A simulated solar device was established to study the temperature regulation effects of both CLC and PSCLC devices.
Collapse
|
47
|
Kim Y, Tamaoki N. Photoresponsive Chiral Dopants: Light‐Driven Helicity Manipulation in Cholesteric Liquid Crystals for Optical and Mechanical Functions. CHEMPHOTOCHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/cptc.201900034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuna Kim
- Research Institute for Electronic ScienceHokkaido University N-20, W-10, Kita-Ku, Sapporo Hokkaido 001-0020 JAPAN
| | - Nobuyuki Tamaoki
- Research Institute for Electronic ScienceHokkaido University N-20, W-10, Kita-Ku, Sapporo Hokkaido 001-0020 JAPAN
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Belmonte A, Bus T, Broer DJ, Schenning AP. Patterned Full-Color Reflective Coatings Based on Photonic Cholesteric Liquid-Crystalline Particles. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:14376-14382. [PMID: 30916920 PMCID: PMC6473483 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b02680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
An easy approach to pattern angular-independent, multicolor reflective coatings based on cholesteric liquid-crystalline (CLC) particles is presented. CLC particles are fabricated by emulsification, which is a scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly synthesis process. The photonic particles can be easily dispersed in a binder to produce reflective coatings. Furthermore, a simple strategy to remove the photonic cross-communication between the particles has been developed. By incorporating a reactive blue/green absorbing dye into the network structure of the CLC particles the cross-communication is absorbed by the dye, leading to well-defined structural colors. Moreover, we demonstrate the possibility of producing patterned multicolor images by controlled swelling of the particles by the binder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Belmonte
- Stimuli-Responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Tom Bus
- Stimuli-Responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk J. Broer
- Stimuli-Responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- SCNU-TUE
Joint Laboratory of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM),
Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, South China Normal University, 510006 Guangzhou, China
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albert P.H.J. Schenning
- Stimuli-Responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- SCNU-TUE
Joint Laboratory of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM),
Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, South China Normal University, 510006 Guangzhou, China
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Electro-Thermal Formation of Uniform Lying Helix Alignment in a Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Cell. CRYSTALS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst9040183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrated previously that the temperature of a sandwich-type liquid crystal cell with unignorable electrode resistivity could be electrically increased as a result of dielectric heating. In this study, we take advantage of such an electro-thermal effect and report on a unique electric-field approach to the formation of uniform lying helix (ULH) texture in a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) cell. The technique entails a hybrid voltage pulse at frequencies f1 and, subsequently, f2, which are higher and lower than the onset frequency for the induction of dielectric heating, respectively. When the cell is electrically sustained in the isotropic phase by the voltage pulse of V = 35 Vrms at f1 = 55 kHz or in the homeotropic state with the enhanced ionic effect at V = 30 Vrms and f1 = 55 kHz, our results indicate that switching of the voltage frequency from f1 to f2 enables the succeeding formation of well-aligned ULH during either the isotropic-to-CLC phase transition at f2 = 1 kHz or by the electrohydrodynamic effect at f2 = 30 Hz. For practical use, the aligning technique proposed for the first time in this study is more applicable than existing alternatives in that the obtained ULH is adoptable to CLCs with positive dielectric anisotropy in a simple cell geometry where complicated surface pretreatment is not required. Moreover, it is electrically switchable to other CLC textures such as Grandjean planar and focal conic states without the need of a temperature controller for the phase transition, the use of ion-rich LC materials, or mechanical shearing for textural transition.
Collapse
|
50
|
Qiao J, Lin S, Li J, Tian J, Guo J. Reversible chirality inversion of circularly polarized luminescence in a photo-invertible helical cholesteric superstructure. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:14590-14593. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cc08090b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The first example of photo-driven reversible chirality inversion of circularly polarized luminescence in a helical cholesteric superstructure is reported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinghui Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers
- Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering
- Beijing University of Chemical Technology
- Beijing 100029
- China
| | - Siyang Lin
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers
- Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering
- Beijing University of Chemical Technology
- Beijing 100029
- China
| | - Juntao Li
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers
- Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering
- Beijing University of Chemical Technology
- Beijing 100029
- China
| | - Jiajun Tian
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers
- Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering
- Beijing University of Chemical Technology
- Beijing 100029
- China
| | - Jinbao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers
- Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering
- Beijing University of Chemical Technology
- Beijing 100029
- China
| |
Collapse
|