Chia seed polysaccharide modified nanofiber-based hydrogel with high transmittance and high haze for multifunctional...

Light management films that can alter the transmission light path while maintaining the total luminous flux, especially introducing natural biological macromolecules for sustainable development of comfortable lighting, energy-efficient buildings, and optoelectronic devices, etc. However, grand challenges remain in preparing high transmittance and high haze films while maintaining stretchability and flexibility to meet application requirements. Herein, poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) (PS-co-PAA) was synthesized and electrospun to obtain grid-like patterned nanofibers, and then infiltrated by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution to prepare nanofiber-based hydrogel. The hydrophilic acrylic segments of PS-co-PAA enhanced the hydrogel infiltration, while the hydrophobic styrene segments facilitated the formation of numerous pores, endowing the film with effective light scattering without severe light loss. Notably, chia seeds mucilage (CSM), rich in natural polysaccharide with polyhydroxyl groups, introduced into the hydrogel for the resultant PVA-PA-CSM film with remarkable light transmission of 82.6 %, admirable haze of 95.6 %, harmful blue light blocking and superior tensile strain of 516.6 % favorable for adjustable light transmittance and haze. Additionally, self-adhesion, self-supporting, twisting, knotting, puncture resisting and effective temperature regulation were conferred to the film. Thus, our work provides novel insights into the fabrication of renewable light management films serving as next-generation optical materials, with broad potential for intelligent lives.