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Szepke D, Zarzeczny M, Pawlak M, Jarmuła P, Yoshizawa A, Pociecha D, Lewandowski W. Disentangling optical effects in 3D spiral-like, chiral plasmonic assemblies templated by a dark conglomerate liquid crystal. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:074201. [PMID: 38380754 DOI: 10.1063/5.0179535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Chiral thin films showing electronic and plasmonic circular dichroism (CD) are intensively explored for optoelectronic applications. The most studied chiral organic films are the composites exhibiting a helical geometry, which often causes entanglement of circular optical properties with unwanted linear optical effects (linearly polarized absorption or refraction). This entanglement limits tunability and often translates to a complex optical response. This paper describes chiral films based on dark conglomerate, sponge-like, liquid crystal films, which go beyond the usual helical type geometry, waiving the problem of linear contributions to chiroptical electronic and plasmonic properties. First, we show that purely organic films exhibit high electronic CD and circular birefringence, as studied in detail using Mueller matrix polarimetry. Analogous linear properties are two orders of magnitude lower, highlighting the benefits of using the bi-isotropic dark conglomerate liquid crystal for chiroptical purposes. Next, we show that the liquid crystal can act as a template to guide the assembly of chemically compatible gold nanoparticles into 3D spiral-like assemblies. The Mueller matrix polarimetry measurements confirm that these composites exhibit both electronic and plasmonic circular dichroisms, while nanoparticle presence is not compromising the beneficial optical properties of the matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Szepke
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Ludwika Pasteura 1, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mateusz Zarzeczny
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Ludwika Pasteura 1, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mateusz Pawlak
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Ludwika Pasteura 1, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Jarmuła
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Ludwika Pasteura 1, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Atsushi Yoshizawa
- National University Corporation, Hirosaki University, 1 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8560, Japan
| | - Damian Pociecha
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Ludwika Pasteura 1, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wiktor Lewandowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Ludwika Pasteura 1, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
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Szustakiewicz P, Powała F, Szepke D, Lewandowski W, Majewski PW. Unrestricted Chiral Patterning by Laser Writing in Liquid Crystalline and Plasmonic Nanocomposite Thin Films. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023:e2310197. [PMID: 37905376 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Obtaining hierarchical structures with arbitrarily controlled chirality remains a challenge. Here, thin films featuring chiroptically bipolar patterns are produced by a device utilizing microscale photothermal re-melting of materials exhibiting chirality synchronization. This device operates autonomously, guided by an algorithm that facilitates the homochiral growth of supramolecular organic helices through controlling their re-melting. The chirality synchronization phenomena of constitutionally achiral molecules grants availability of both handednesses of the helices, enabling unrestricted chiral writing in the film. The collective chiroptical response of assembled molecules is utilised to guide the patterning process, creating a foundation for optically secured information. The established methodology enables achieving dissymmetry factor values for circular dichroism (CD) a magnitude higher than previously reported, as confirmed with state-of-the-art, synchrotron-based Mueller matrix polarimetry (MMP). Moreover, the developed method is extended to nanocomposites comprising gold nanoparticles, providing the opportunity to tune the CD toward the plasmonic region. This strategic application of photothermal processing, specifically laser-directed melting, uncovers the potential to broaden the selection of nanostructured materials with precisely designed functionalities for photonic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Filip Powała
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02089, Poland
| | - Dorota Szepke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02089, Poland
| | | | - Pawel W Majewski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02089, Poland
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Qiao H, Wang S, Liu L, Wu W, Cao L, Wang Z, Zheng K. Binary solvent-exchange-induced self-assembly of silk fibroin birefringent fibers for optical applications. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 236:123627. [PMID: 36858084 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
To generate birefringence in artificial materials has attracted increasing attention in terms of their potential for applications in sensor, tissue engineering and optical devices. Silk materials with patterned structures presented unique optical features, however, effectively fabricating of structural anisotropy in silk materials to directly tailor their birefringence is still challenging. Silk fibroin birefringent fibers (SBFs) with tunable birefringence were obtained in this study via a strategy that combined injection technique and binary solvent-exchange-induced self-assembly (BSEISA). The structural deformation of these SBFs that introduced by external stimulus such as tensile and solvent swelling was critical to their birefringence. As a result, pink, yellow, green, cyan, and purple were successfully achieved in the interference color of the SBFs with an exchanging solvent of 25, 55, 75, 90 wt% ethanol aqueous solution, and methanol respectively. Moreover, we respectively exchanged these SBFs against with Congo red (SBF-CR), methyl orange (SBF-MO), methylene blue (SBF-MB) and rhodamine B (SBF-RhB) solutions to produce fibers with diversity in their birefringent performance. Two types of patterns were designed and thereafter constructed by (1) SBF\SBF-CR\SBF-RhB, and (2) SBF\SBF-MB\SBF-CR. Interestingly, the patterns both displayed a letter of "A" in natural light, while displayed different letters of (1) "H" and (2) "U" in polarized light. This study demonstrated that these SBFs with unique optical and birefringent performances are anticipated to act as sensors and code labels for optical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Qiao
- Biomass Molecular Engineering Center, Anhui Provincial Engineering Center for High Performance Biobased Nylons, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Shujie Wang
- Biomass Molecular Engineering Center, Anhui Provincial Engineering Center for High Performance Biobased Nylons, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Li Liu
- Biomass Molecular Engineering Center, Anhui Provincial Engineering Center for High Performance Biobased Nylons, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Biomass Molecular Engineering Center, Anhui Provincial Engineering Center for High Performance Biobased Nylons, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Leitao Cao
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai 201210, China; Institute of Zhejiang University - Quzhou, Zhejiang 324000, China
| | - Zhongkai Wang
- Biomass Molecular Engineering Center, Anhui Provincial Engineering Center for High Performance Biobased Nylons, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China.
| | - Ke Zheng
- Biomass Molecular Engineering Center, Anhui Provincial Engineering Center for High Performance Biobased Nylons, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China.
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Lee JJ, Choi SW. Effect of Nematogen Doping in Bent-Core Molecular Systems with a Helical Nanofilament and Dark Conglomerate. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:548. [PMID: 36676284 PMCID: PMC9861025 DOI: 10.3390/ma16020548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Two types of binary mixtures were prepared. One consisted of a calamitic nematogen and bent-core molecule with a helical nanofilament, whereas the other contained a calamitic nematogen and bent-core molecule with a dark conglomerate. The chiroptical features of these two mixtures were investigated using polarized optical microscopy and circular dichroism. In addition, X-ray diffraction analysis was performed on the two binary mixtures. The chiroptical features of the two mixtures were remarkably different. One mixture showed enhanced chiroptical features, whereas the other did not show chiroptical features. This method may help in distinguishing between helical nanofilaments and dark conglomerates which originate from bent-core molecular systems.
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Chiroptical Characteristics of Nanosegregated Phases in Binary Mixture Consisting of Achiral Bent-Core Molecule and Bent-Core Base Main-Chain Polymer. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14142823. [PMID: 35890599 PMCID: PMC9315534 DOI: 10.3390/polym14142823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, a binary mixture system consisting of an achiral bent-core molecule and a bent-core base main-chain polymer is described. The mixture exhibits an intriguing nanosegregated phase generated by the phase separation of the helical nanofilament B4 phase (originating from the bent-core molecule) and the dark conglomerate phase (originating from the bent-core base main-chain polymer). This nanosegregated phase was identified using polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction analysis. In this nanosegregated phase, the enantiomeric domains grew to a few millimeters and a giant circular dichroism was observed. The structural chirality of the helical nanofilament B4 phase affected the conformation of the bent-core base main-chain polymer embedded within the helical nanofilament networks of bent-core molecules.
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Cao Y, Tan T, Walba DM, Clark NA, Ungar G, Zhu C, Zhang L, Liu F. Understanding and Manipulating Helical Nanofilaments in Binary Systems with Achiral Dopants. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:4569-4575. [PMID: 35584547 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c01525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Here, we report the relationship between helical pitch of the helical nanofilament (HNF) phase formed by bent-core molecule NOBOW and the concentration of achiral dopants 5CB and octane, using linearly polarized resonant soft X-ray scattering (RSoXS). Utilizing theory-based simulation, which fits well with the experiments, the molecular helices in the filament were probed and the superstructure of helical 5CB directed by groove of HNFs was observed. Quantitative pitch determination with RSoXS reveals that helical pitch variation is related to 5CB concentration with no temperature dependence. Doping rodlike immiscible 5CB led to a pitch shortening of up to 30%, which was attributed to a change in interfacial tension. By shedding light not only on phase behavior of binary systems but also enabling control over pitch length, our work may benefit various applications of HNF-containing binary systems, including optical rotation devices, circularly polarized light emitters, and chirality transfer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Cao
- Shaanxi International Research Center for Soft Matter, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behaviour of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Tianyi Tan
- Shaanxi International Research Center for Soft Matter, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behaviour of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China
| | - David M Walba
- Department of Chemistry and Liquid Crystal Materials Research Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Noel A Clark
- Department of Physics and Liquid Crystal Materials Research Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Goran Ungar
- Shaanxi International Research Center for Soft Matter, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behaviour of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China
| | - Chenhui Zhu
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Lei Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China
| | - Feng Liu
- Shaanxi International Research Center for Soft Matter, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behaviour of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China
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Park W, Lee J, Han MJ, Wolska J, Pociecha D, Gorecka E, Seo MK, Choi YS, Yoon DK. Light-Driven Fabrication of a Chiral Photonic Lattice of the Helical Nanofilament Liquid Crystal Phase. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:4409-4416. [PMID: 35029362 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c19382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A photonic lattice is an efficient platform for optically exploring quantum phenomena. However, its fabrication requires high costs and complex procedures when conventional materials, such as silicon or metals, are used. Here, we demonstrate a simple and cost-effective fabrication method for a reconfigurable chiral photonic lattice of the helical nanofilament (HNF) liquid crystal (LC) phase and diffraction grating showing wavelength-dependent diffraction with a rotated polarization state. Furthermore, the UV-exposed areas of the HNF film having chiral characteristics act as optical building blocks that induce resonant intensity modulation in the reflectance and transmittance modes and the optical rotation of the linear polarization. Our photonic lattice of the HNF can be an efficient platform for a chirality-embedded photonic lattice at a low cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wongi Park
- Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongmin Lee
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Moon Jong Han
- Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Joanna Wolska
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02-089, Poland
| | - Damian Pociecha
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02-089, Poland
| | - Ewa Gorecka
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02-089, Poland
| | - Min-Kyo Seo
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Seok Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Ki Yoon
- Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KAIST Institute for Nanocentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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8
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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.
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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
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9
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Park W, Yang M, Park H, Wolska JM, Ahn H, Shin TJ, Pociecha D, Gorecka E, Yoon DK. Directing Polymorphism in the Helical Nanofilament Phase. Chemistry 2021; 27:7108-7113. [PMID: 33464673 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202005221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Herein, it is reported that the polymorphism in the helical nanofilament (HNF, B4 ) liquid-crystalline phase depends on the fabrication methods, that is, UV-driven formation and template-assisted self-assembly in the nanoconfined geometry. As a result, uniaxially oriented HNFs with different helical structures were obtained, in which generation of the twisted-ribbon and cylindrical-ribbon polymorphs showed that even the molecular lattice has a different orientation. The detailed structures were directly observed by SEM and grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction with synchrotron radiation. The resultant polymorphs could be used in chiro-optical applications due to the capability for fine control of the helical structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wongi Park
- Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Minyong Yang
- Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyewon Park
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Joanna M Wolska
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-089, Poland
| | - Hyungju Ahn
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, POSTECH, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Joo Shin
- UNIST Central Research Facilities & School of Natural Science, UNIST, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Damian Pociecha
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-089, Poland
| | - Ewa Gorecka
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, 02-089, Poland
| | - Dong Ki Yoon
- Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.,Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.,KAIST Institute for Nanocentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
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