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Visible-light-programmed patterning in dynamically bonded cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer
Jiale Liu1, Shuoning Zhang2, Zichen Wang2
1Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Materials and Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, PR China.
Nature Communications
|November 28, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed dynamic diselenide bonded cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs) with tunable optical properties. These materials exhibit reversible mechanochromism and programmable colorful patterning, offering potential for advanced smart materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Optics
Background:
- Cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs) exhibit tunable optical properties responsive to external fields.
- However, CLCEs typically revert to their original state once the external field is removed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce diselenide dynamic covalent bonds (DCBs) into CLCEs to achieve stable, tunable optical properties.
- To explore the potential for programmable optical effects and mechanochromism in these modified CLCEs.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of diselenide dynamic covalent bonds (DCBs) into the CLCE polymer network.
- Application of combined mechanical stress (tensile/compressive) and visible light irradiation for property tuning.
- Characterization of optical properties, mechanochromism, and patterning capabilities.
Main Results:
- The DCB-CLCEs demonstrated reversible and precise tuning of optical properties under combined force and light stimuli.
- The materials exhibited reversible mechanochromism, with tuned optical properties being "written" and retained.
- High-resolution, colorful patterning was achieved by controlling light exposure under varying strain states.
Conclusions:
- The integration of DCBs into CLCEs creates materials with reprogrammable optical properties, combining CLCE anisotropy with DCB dynamic chain exchange.
- These DCB-CLCEs show significant potential for applications in display devices, anticounterfeiting, sensors, and smart optical films.
