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Preparation of Light-responsive Membranes by a Combined Surface Grafting and Postmodification Process
Published on: March 21, 2014
Fast Response and Visual Transparency Switching Hydrochromic Film Based on the Rational Structure of
Yuqian Guo1, Xianhui An1, Xueren Qian1
1Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology, Northeast Forestry University, Ministry of Education, Harbin, 150040, China.
Abstract:
The authors are motivated to develop a series of hydrochromic copolymers with fast response, reversibility, repeatability, and visual transparency transition. The hydrochromic block copolymers are based on the rational ratio of hydrophilic segments of poloxamer block and hydrophobic segments of ethyl cellulose according to the preparation method of polyurethane. By tuning the ratio of hydrophilic segments or adding hygroscopic salts, the hydrochromic polymer is endowed with the ability to visualize the transparency in response to the relative humidity. Especially, the response time of the polymer is extremely shortened, up to 1 s for the optimized sample. Within the moisture stimulation, the hygroscopic swelling increases the film thickness, leading to a reversible transparency switching from a highly transparent state (82%) to an opaque white state (20.5%).
