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Gradient Photonic Materials Based on One-Dimensional Polymer Photonic Crystals
Andreas E Schedl1, Irene Howell2, James J Watkins2
1Department of Macromolecular Chemistry I and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, 95440, Germany.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|March 14, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed tunable mechanochromic materials inspired by chameleons. These gradient photonic materials change color with strain, enabling rainbow-like patterns for advanced sensor applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optics
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Chameleons exhibit complex color changes via photonic crystals.
- Artificial gradient photonic materials offer tunable optical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a concept for preparing tunable mechanochromic materials.
- To demonstrate their function as gradient and patterned color-changing systems.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a 1D polymer photonic crystal on a gradient stiffness poly(dimethylsiloxane) substrate.
- Inducing local strain through substrate deformation.
- Observing position-dependent color shifts due to altered photonic crystal thickness.
Main Results:
- An unstrained system shows uniform red reflectance.
- Deformation creates strain gradients, leading to a blue shift in reflectance and rainbow-like color patterns.
- Advanced gradient elastomers enable stripe-like reflectance patterns.
Conclusions:
- The approach allows tunable formation of reflectance gradients and complex patterns.
- Potential applications include mechanochromic sensors, telemedicine, smart materials, and metamaterials.
