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In Situ Growth of Multiresponsive Structural Color Patterns within Hydrogels for Multiple Information Encryption
Lu Cui1, Juan Wang1, Menglin Liu1
1College of Materials Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fiber and Eco-textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Marine Biobased Fibers and Ecological textile technology Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, P. R. China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|December 18, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a novel bionic strategy to create multiresponsive structural color patterns in hydrogels using small molecules. This method enables advanced information encryption through self-grown, stable, nanoscale microspheres for vibrant color generation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomimicry
Background:
- Fabricating multiresponsive structural color patterns from small molecules for information encryption is challenging.
- Mimicking natural organisms offers a promising approach for creating advanced functional materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a bionic strategy for in situ fabrication of multiresponsive structural color patterns within hydrogel matrixes.
- To enable advanced information encryption using self-grown, stable, nanoscale structures.
Main Methods:
- A bionic entanglement-interlocking microphase separation strategy was employed.
- Small molecule precursors for polymerization-induced phase-separated materials were used as nutrients within hydrogel matrixes.
- In situ polymerization led to the formation and anchoring of phase-separated microspheres.
Main Results:
- Stable, nanoscale phase-separated microspheres were successfully grown and anchored within hydrogel networks via interpenetrating polymer networks.
- Structural blue color was achieved through light scattering from the precisely controlled microsphere size.
- Multiresponsive schemochrome patterns were created for multiple information encryptions.
Conclusions:
- The facile self-growth strategy is effective for creating multiresponsive structural color patterns in hydrogels.
- The method is versatile, applicable to various polymerization-induced phase-separated materials and hydrogel systems.
- This approach holds significant potential for applications in information encryption and advanced optical materials.
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