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Huang J, Jin X, Yang X, Zhao T, Xie H, Duan P. Near-Infrared Circularly Polarized Luminescent Physical Unclonable Functions. ACS NANO 2024. [PMID: 38842501 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c03136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Distinguished from traditional physical unclonable functions (PUFs), optical PUFs derive their encoded information from the optical properties of materials, offering distinct advantages, including solution processability, material versatility, and tunable luminescence performance. However, existing research on optical PUFs has predominantly centered on visible photoluminescence, while advanced optical PUFs based on higher-level covert light remain unexplored. In this study, we present optical PUFs based on the utilization of the covert light of near-infrared circularly polarized luminescence (NIR-CPL). This interesting property is achieved by incorporating Yb-doped metal halide perovskite nanocrystals (Yb-PeNCs) possessing NIR emission property into chiral imprinted photonic (CIP) films. By employing a solvent immersion method, we successfully integrated Yb-PeNCs into these CIP films, thereby creating an optically unclonable surface. The resulting NIR-CPL emission adds a layer of advanced security to the optical PUF systems. These findings underscore the potential of solution-processable chiral films to play a pivotal role in advancing the next generation of PUFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Huang
- Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, and Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Materials of Colleges, Universities of Hunan Province and College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Jin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, Beijing, 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuefeng Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, Beijing, 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Tonghan Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, Beijing, 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Helou Xie
- Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, and Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Materials of Colleges, Universities of Hunan Province and College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengfei Duan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, Beijing, 100190, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 Yanqihu East Road, Huairou District, Beijing, 101408, People's Republic of China
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2
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Chen Y, Zheng C, Yang W, Li J, Jin F, Shi L, Wang J, Jiang L. Super-Wide Temperature Lasers Spanning from -180 to 240 °C Based on Fully-Polymerized Blue Phase Superstructures. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2308439. [PMID: 38270274 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202308439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Blue phase liquid crystal (BPLC) lasers have potential applications in displays, sensors, and anti-counterfeiting fields owing to their outstanding optical properties. However, there remain challenges on lasing below 0 °C, which significantly limits the potential application of BPLC lasers in low-temperature environments. In this work, BPLC lasing below 0 °C is realized for the first time in a super-wide temperature range of -180-240 °C using a well-designed fully-polymerized BPLC system with a narrow line width of 0.0881 nm and a low lasing threshold of 37 nJ pulse-1. This fully-polymerized BPLC both effectively avoids low-temperature random crystallization and has excellent compatibility with dye molecules that significantly widen the lasing temperature range below 0 °C. Besides, the variations of laser peak and threshold are also revealed below 0 °C, that is, redshifted laser wavelength and increased threshold value with decreasing temperature, which contribute to a blue-shifted laser signal and a U-shaped lasing threshold in -180-240 °C. These unique laser behaviors can be ascribed to the temperature-dependent anisotropically microstructural deformation of the BP lattice. This work not only opens a door to the development of low-temperature BPLC lasers but also sets out important insights in the design of novel organic optical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Center of Material Sciences and Optoelectronics Engineering, School of Future Technologies, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101407, China
| | - Chenglin Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Center of Material Sciences and Optoelectronics Engineering, School of Future Technologies, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101407, China
| | - Wenjie Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Center of Material Sciences and Optoelectronics Engineering, School of Future Technologies, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101407, China
| | - Jing Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Feng Jin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Lei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro- and Nano-Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jingxia Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Center of Material Sciences and Optoelectronics Engineering, School of Future Technologies, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101407, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Center of Material Sciences and Optoelectronics Engineering, School of Future Technologies, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101407, China
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3
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Ma Y, Zhao Z, Morris SM, He C. Twisted microdomains in liquid crystals for polarization-insensitive phase modulation. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2024; 13:8. [PMID: 38177126 PMCID: PMC10766621 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-023-01351-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Polarization-independent phase modulators based upon liquid crystals (LCs) with a simple device architecture have long been desired for a range of optical applications. Recently, researchers have demonstrated a novel fabrication procedure using cholesteric LCs as a primer for achieving low polarization dependence coupled with a large phase modulation depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Ma
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK
| | - Zimo Zhao
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK
| | - Stephen M Morris
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK
| | - Chao He
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK.
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4
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Money J, Munguia-Fernández JG, Norouzi S, Esmaeili M, Martínez-González JA, Sadati M. Photonic features of blue phase liquid crystals under curved confinement. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:12231-12247. [PMID: 37750291 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc03284a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Blue phase (BP) liquid crystals represent a fascinating state of soft matter that showcases unique optical and electro-optical properties. Existing between chiral nematic and isotropic phases, BPs are characterized by a three-dimensional cubic lattice structure resulting in selective Bragg reflections of light and consequent vivid structural colors. However, the practical realization of these material systems is hampered by their narrow thermal stability and multi-domain crystalline nature. This feature article provides an overview of the efforts devoted to stabilizing these phases and creating monodomain structures. In particular, it delves into the complex relationship between geometrical confinement, induced curvature, and the structural stability and photonic features of BPs. Understanding the interaction of curved confinement and structural stability of BPs proves crucially important for the integration of these materials into flexible and miniaturized devices. By shedding light on these critical aspects, this feature review aims to highlight the significance of understanding the coupling effects of physical and mechanical forces on the structural stability of these systems, which can pave the way for the development of efficient and practical devices based on BP liquid crystals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Money
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - Juan G Munguia-Fernández
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Parque Chapultepec 1570, San Luis Potosí 78210, SLP, México
| | - Sepideh Norouzi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - Mohsen Esmaeili
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - José A Martínez-González
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Parque Chapultepec 1570, San Luis Potosí 78210, SLP, México
| | - Monirosadat Sadati
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
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5
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Shi Y, Han J, Li C, Zhao T, Jin X, Duan P. Recyclable soft photonic crystal film with overall improved circularly polarized luminescence. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6123. [PMID: 37777553 PMCID: PMC10542380 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41884-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Existing circularly polarized luminescence materials can hardly satisfy the requirements of both large luminescence dissymmetry factor and high luminescent quantum yield, which hinders their practical applications. Here, we present a soft photonic crystal film embedded with chiral nanopores that possesses excellent circularly polarized luminescence performance with a high luminescence dissymmetry factor as well as a large luminescent quantum yield when loaded with various luminescent dyes. Benefitting from the retention of chiral nanopores imprinted from a chiral liquid crystal arrangement, the chiral soft photonic crystal film can not only endow dyes with chiral properties, but also effectively avoid severe aggregation of guest dye molecules. More importantly, the soft photonic crystal film can be recycled many times by loading and eluting guest dye molecules while retaining good stability as well as circularly polarized luminescence performance, enabling various applications, including smart windows, multi-color circularly polarized luminescence and anticounterfeiting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghong Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, 100190, Beijing, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jianlei Han
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, 100190, Beijing, PR China
| | - Chengxi Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, 100190, Beijing, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China
| | - Tonghan Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, 100190, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xue Jin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, 100190, Beijing, PR China
| | - Pengfei Duan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, 100190, Beijing, PR China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China.
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6
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Bagchi K, Emeršič T, Martínez-González JA, de Pablo JJ, Nealey PF. Functional soft materials from blue phase liquid crystals. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh9393. [PMID: 37494446 PMCID: PMC10371026 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh9393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Blue phase (BP) liquid crystals are chiral fluids wherein millions of molecules self-assemble into cubic lattices that are on the order of hundred nanometers. As the unit cell sizes of BPs are comparable to the wavelength of light, they exhibit selective Bragg reflections in the visible. The exploitation of the photonic properties of BPs for technological applications is made possible through photopolymerization, a process that renders mechanical robustness and thermal stability. We review here the preparation and characterization of stimuli-responsive, polymeric photonic crystals based on BPs. We highlight recent studies that demonstrate the promise that polymerized BP photonic crystals hold for colorimetric sensing and dynamic light control. We review using Landau-de Gennes simulations for predicting the self-assembly of BPs and the potential for using theory to guide experimental design. Finally, opportunities for using BPs to synthesize new soft materials, such as highly structured polymer meshes, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kushal Bagchi
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Tadej Emeršič
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - José A Martínez-González
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Parque Chapultepec 1570, San Luis Potosí 78210 SLP, Mexico
| | - Juan J de Pablo
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Paul F Nealey
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
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7
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Tohgha UN, Crenshaw EP, McConney ME, Lee KM, Godman NP. Tuning of optical properties and phase behavior of Nanomaterial-stabilized blue phase liquid crystals. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 639:401-407. [PMID: 36812855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.02.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Nanoparticles of various shapes and sizes can affect the optical properties and blue phase (BP) stabilization of BP liquid crystals (BPLCs). This is because nanoparticles, which are more compatible with the LC host, can be dispersed in both the double twist cylinder (DTC) and disclination defects in BPLCs. EXPERIMENTS This study presents the first systematic study of the use of CdSe nanoparticles having various sizes and shapes (spheres, tetrapods and nanoplatelets) to stabilize BPLCs. Unlike previous studies using commercial nanoparticles (NPs), we custom-synthesized NPs with the same core and nearly identical long chain hydrocarbon ligand materials. Two LC hosts were used to investigate the NP effect on BPLCs. FINDINGS The size and shape of nanomaterials greatly influence the interaction with LCs, and the dispersion of NPs in the LC medium affects the position of the BP reflection band and the stabilization of BPs. Spherical NPs were found to be more compatible with the LC medium than tetrapod shape and platelet shape NPs, resulting in a wider temperature range of BP and a redshift of the reflection band of BP. In addition, the inclusion of spherical NPs tuned the optical properties of BPLCs to a significant extent, whereas BPLCs with nanoplatelets displayed a limited influence on the optical properties and temperature window of BPs due to poor compatibility with LC hosts. The tunable optical behavior of BPLC as a function of the type and concentration of NPs has not been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urice N Tohgha
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433, United States; Azimuth Corporation, Fairborn, OH 45324, United States
| | - Ecklin P Crenshaw
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433, United States; Azimuth Corporation, Fairborn, OH 45324, United States
| | - Michael E McConney
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433, United States
| | - Kyung Min Lee
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433, United States; Azimuth Corporation, Fairborn, OH 45324, United States.
| | - Nicholas P Godman
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433, United States.
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8
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Chen Y, Zheng C, Yang W, Li J, Jin F, Li X, Wang J, Jiang L. Over 200 °C Broad-Temperature Lasers Reconstructed from a Blue-Phase Polymer Scaffold. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2206580. [PMID: 36189900 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202206580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Blue-phase liquid crystal (BPLC) lasers have received extensive attention and have potential applications in sensors, displays, and anti-counterfeiting, owing to their unique 3D photonic bandgap. However, the working temperature range of such BPLC lasers is insufficient, and investigations are required to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Herein, a broad-temperature reconstructed laser is successfully achieved in dye-doped polymer-stabilized blue-phase liquid crystals (DD-PSBPLCs) with an unprecedented working temperature range of 25-230 °C based on a robust polymer scaffold, which combines the thermal stability and the tunability from the system. The broad-temperature lasing stems from the high thermal stability of the robust polymerized system used, which affords enough reflected and matched fluorescence signals. The temperature-tunable lasing behavior of the DD-PSBPLCs is associated with the phase transition of the unpolymerized content (≈60 wt%) in the system, which endows with a reconstructed characteristic of BP lasers including a U-shaped lasing threshold, a reversible lasing wavelength, and an obvious lasing enhancement at about 70 °C. This work not only provides a new idea for the design of broad-temperature BPLC lasers, but also sets out important insight in innovative microstructure changes for novel multifunctional organic optic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Center of Material Sciences and Optoelectronics Engineering, School of Future Technologies, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101407, China
| | - Chenglin Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Center of Material Sciences and Optoelectronics Engineering, School of Future Technologies, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101407, China
| | - Wenjie Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Center of Material Sciences and Optoelectronics Engineering, School of Future Technologies, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101407, China
| | - Jing Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Feng Jin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Xiuhong Li
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201204, China
| | - Jingxia Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Center of Material Sciences and Optoelectronics Engineering, School of Future Technologies, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101407, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Center of Material Sciences and Optoelectronics Engineering, School of Future Technologies, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101407, China
- Ji Hua Laboratory, Foshan, Guangdong, 528000, P. R. China
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9
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Zhang X, Yang Y, Xue P, Valenzuela C, Chen Y, Yang X, Wang L, Feng W. Three‐Dimensional Electrochromic Soft Photonic Crystals Based on MXene‐Integrated Blue Phase Liquid Crystals for Bioinspired Visible and Infrared Camouflage. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202211030. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202211030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin University Tianjin 300350 P. R. China
| | - Yanzhao Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin University Tianjin 300350 P. R. China
| | - Pan Xue
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin University Tianjin 300350 P. R. China
| | - Cristian Valenzuela
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin University Tianjin 300350 P. R. China
| | - Yuanhao Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin University Tianjin 300350 P. R. China
| | - Xiao Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin University Tianjin 300350 P. R. China
| | - Ling Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin University Tianjin 300350 P. R. China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Composite and Functional Materials Tianjin 300350 P. R. China
| | - Wei Feng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin University Tianjin 300350 P. R. China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Composite and Functional Materials Tianjin 300350 P. R. China
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10
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Zhang X, Yang Y, Xue P, Valenzuela C, Chen Y, Yang X, Wang L, Feng W. Three‐Dimensional Electrochromic Soft Photonic Crystals Based on MXene‐Integrated Blue Phase Liquid Crystals for Bioinspired Visible and Infrared Camouflage. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202211030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- Tianjin University Materials Science and Engineering CHINA
| | - Yanzhao Yang
- Tianjin University Materials Science and Engineering CHINA
| | - Pan Xue
- Tianjin University Materials Science and Engineering CHINA
| | | | - Yuanhao Chen
- Tianjin University Materials Science and Engineering CHINA
| | - Xiao Yang
- Tianjin University Materials Science and Engineering CHINA
| | - Ling Wang
- Tianjin University Materials Science and Engineering School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University 300072 Tianjin CHINA
| | - Wei Feng
- Tianjin University Materials Science and Engineering CHINA
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11
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Sun W, Chen X, Li Y, Liu W, Li H, Yang Y. Anti-counterfeiting Behaviour of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Silica Film with a Chiral Smectic C Structure. Chem Asian J 2022; 17:e202200793. [PMID: 35980218 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202200793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Artificial photonic materials based on chiral liquid-crystalline nanostructures have attracted increasing interests for their wide applications as sensors, anti-counterfeit measures, displays and colour filters. Although the structurally coloured films with chiral nematic structures or blue phases have been prepared, the ones fabricated by fixing chiral smectic C (SmC*) phases have been rarely reported. In this work, organic-inorganic hybrid silica (OIHS) films with a SmC* structure were reported for the first time. An organosilane (CSC) with an enantiotropic SmC* phase was synthesized. The OIHS films with a SmC* structure were fabricated by the polycondensation of CSC under an acidic condition. The colour patterns can be observed in the oblique view, but not be observed in the vertical view, which is mainly due to the light scattering of the nanoparticles on film surface and the selective Bragg reflection of film inside. Therefore, such properties make the OIHS films promising candidates for anti-counterfeiting applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Soochow University, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science,, CHINA
| | - Xiaofang Chen
- Soochow University, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, CHINA
| | - Yi Li
- Soochow University, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, CHINA
| | - Wei Liu
- Soochow University, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, CHINA
| | - Hongkun Li
- Soochow University, Ren'ai Road 199, CHINA
| | - Yonggang Yang
- Soochow University, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, CHINA
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12
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Templated Twist Structure Liquid Crystals and Photonic Applications. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14122455. [PMID: 35746029 PMCID: PMC9227419 DOI: 10.3390/polym14122455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Twist structure liquid crystals (TSLCs) have attracted increasing attention in photonic applications due to their distinct properties: Bragg reflection, scattering, and optical rotation. However, there exist some issues due to the defects of TSLCs: weak thermal stability, narrow bandwidth, and complicated fabrication. In this review, we introduce the templating technique which includes device structure, templating process, and photonic properties of templated TSLCs to improve the issues. Furthermore, a variety of photonic applications including lasing, optical filters and gratings based on TSLCs with polymer templates are presented. Additionally, other applications of TSLCs are briefly introduced. Finally, the remaining challenges and future perspectives of templated TSLCs are proposed.
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13
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Yang Y, Palacio-Betancur V, Wang X, de Pablo JJ, Abbott NL. Strongly Chiral Liquid Crystals in Nanoemulsions. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2105835. [PMID: 35023609 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202105835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal (LC) emulsions represent a class of confined soft matter that exhibit exotic internal organizations and size-dependent properties, including responses to chemical and physical stimuli. Past studies have explored micrometer-scale LC emulsion droplets but little is known about LC ordering within submicrometer-sized droplets. This paper reports experiments and simulations that unmask the consequences of confinement in nanoemulsions on strongly chiral LCs that form bulk cholesteric and blue phases (BPs). A method based on light scattering is developed to characterize phase transitions of LCs within the nanodroplets. For droplets with a radius to the pitch ratio (Rv /p0 ) as small as 2/3, the BP-to-cholesteric transition is substantially suppressed, leading to a threefold increase of the BP temperature interval relative to bulk behavior. Complementary simulations align with experimental findings and reveal the dominant role of chiral elastic energy. For Rv /p0 ≈ 1/3, a single LC phase forms below the clearing point, with simulations revealing the new configuration to contain a τ-1/2 disclination that extends across the nanodroplet. These findings are discussed in the context of mechanisms by which polymer networks stabilize BPs and, more broadly, for the design of nanoconfined soft matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yang
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | | | - Xin Wang
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Juan J de Pablo
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Center for Molecular Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, 60439, USA
| | - Nicholas L Abbott
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
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14
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Chen J, Akomolafe OI, Dhakal NP, Pujyam M, Skalli O, Jiang J, Peng C. Nematic Templated Complex Nanofiber Structures by Projection Display. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:7230-7240. [PMID: 35084814 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c20305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Oriented arrays of nanofibers are ubiquitous in nature and have been widely used in recreation of the biological functions such as bone and muscle tissue regenerations. However, it remains a challenge to produce nanofiber arrays with a complex organization by using current fabrication techniques such as electrospinning and extrusion. In this work, we propose a method to fabricate the complex organization of nanofiber structures templated by a spatially varying ordered liquid crystal host, which follows the pattern produced by a maskless projection display system. By programming the synchronization of the rotated polarizer and projected segments with different shapes, various configurations of nanofiber organization ranging from a single to two-dimensional lattice of arbitrary topological defects are created in a deterministic manner. The nanofiber arrays can effectively guide and promote neurite outgrowth. The application of nanofibers with arced profiles and topological defects on neural tissue organization is also demonstrated. This finding, combined with the versatility and programmability of nanofiber structures, suggests that they will help solve challenges in nerve repair, neural regeneration, and other related tissue engineering fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Chen
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Oluwafemi Isaac Akomolafe
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Netra Prasad Dhakal
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Mahesh Pujyam
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Omar Skalli
- Department of Biology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Jinghua Jiang
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Chenhui Peng
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
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15
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Lee KM, Tohgha U, Bunning TJ, McConney ME, Godman NP. Effect of Amorphous Crosslinker on Phase Behavior and Electro-Optic Response of Polymer-Stabilized Blue Phase Liquid Crystals. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 12:48. [PMID: 35009998 PMCID: PMC8746832 DOI: 10.3390/nano12010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Blue phase liquid crystals (BPLCs) composed of double-twisted cholesteric helices are promising materials for use in next-generation displays, optical components, and photonics applications. However, BPLCs are only observed in a narrow temperature range of 0.5-3 °C and must be stabilized with a polymer network. Here, we report on controlling the phase behavior of BPLCs by varying the concentration of an amorphous crosslinker (pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA)). LC mixtures without amorphous crosslinker display narrow phase transition temperatures from isotropic to the blue phase-II (BP-II), blue phase-I (BP-I), and cholesteric phases, but the addition of PETA stabilizes the BP-I phase. A PETA content above 3 wt% prevents the formation of the simple cubic BP-II phase and induces a direct transition from the isotropic to the BP-I phase. PETA widens the temperature window of BP-I from ~6.8 °C for BPLC without PETA to ~15 °C for BPLC with 4 wt% PETA. The BPLCs with 3 and 4 wt% PETA are stabilized using polymer networks via in situ photopolymerization. Polymer-stabilized BPLC with 3 wt% PETA showed switching between reflective to transparent states with response times of 400-500 μs when an AC field was applied, whereas the application of a DC field induced a large color change from green to red.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Min Lee
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433, USA; (U.T.); (T.J.B.); (M.E.M.)
- Azimuth Corporation, Fairborn, OH 45431, USA
| | - Urice Tohgha
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433, USA; (U.T.); (T.J.B.); (M.E.M.)
- Azimuth Corporation, Fairborn, OH 45431, USA
| | - Timothy J. Bunning
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433, USA; (U.T.); (T.J.B.); (M.E.M.)
| | - Michael E. McConney
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433, USA; (U.T.); (T.J.B.); (M.E.M.)
| | - Nicholas P. Godman
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433, USA; (U.T.); (T.J.B.); (M.E.M.)
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16
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Sadati M, Martinez-Gonzalez JA, Cohen A, Norouzi S, Guzmán O, de Pablo JJ. Control of Monodomain Polymer-Stabilized Cuboidal Nanocrystals of Chiral Nematics by Confinement. ACS NANO 2021; 15:15972-15981. [PMID: 34597503 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c04231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystals are important components of optical technologies. Cuboidal crystals consisting of chiral liquid crystals-the so-called blue phases (BPs), are of particular interest due to their crystalline structures and fast response times, but it is critical that control be gained over their phase behavior as well as the underlying dislocations and grain boundaries that arise in such systems. Blue phases exhibit cubic crystalline symmetries with lattice parameters in the 100 nm range and a network of disclination lines that can be polymerized to widen the range of temperatures over which they occur. Here, we introduce the concept of strain-controlled polymerization of BPs under confinement, which enables formation of strain-correlated stabilized morphologies that, under some circumstances, can adopt perfect single-crystal monodomain structures and undergo reversible crystal-to-crystal transformations, even if their disclination lines are polymerized. We have used super-resolution laser confocal microscopy to reveal the periodic structure and the lattice planes of the strain and polymerization stabilized BPs in 3D real space. Our experimental observations are supported and interpreted by relying on theory and computational simulations in terms of a free energy functional for a tensorial order parameter. Simulations are used to determine the orientation of the lattice planes unambiguously. The findings presented here offer opportunities for engineering optical devices based on single-crystal, polymer-stabilized BPs whose inherent liquid nature, fast dynamics, and long-range crystalline order can be fully exploited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monirosadat Sadati
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Swearingen Engineering Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Jose A Martinez-Gonzalez
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Parque Chapultepec 1570, San Luis Potosí 78295, SLP, Mexico
| | - Alexander Cohen
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Sepideh Norouzi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Swearingen Engineering Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Orlando Guzmán
- Departamento de Física, Universidad Autonóma Metropolitana, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Ciudad de México 09340, Mexico
| | - Juan J de Pablo
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 Cass Avenue Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
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17
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Martella D, Nocentini S, Parmeggiani C, Wiersma DS. Photonic artificial muscles: from micro robots to tissue engineering. Faraday Discuss 2021; 223:216-232. [PMID: 32716468 DOI: 10.1039/d0fd00032a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Light responsive shape-changing polymers are able to mimic the function of biological muscles accomplishing mechanical work in response to selected stimuli. A variety of manufacturing techniques and chemical processes can be employed to shape these materials to different length scales, from centimeter fibers and films to 3D printed micrometric objects trying to replicate biological functions and operations. Controlled deformations shown to mimick basic animal operations such as walking, swimming or grabbing objects, while also controlling the refractive index and the geometry of devices, opens up the potential to implement tunable optical properties. Another possibility is that of combining artificial polymers with cells or biological tissue (such as intact cardiac trabeculae) with the aim to improve tissue formation in vitro or to support the mechanical function of damaged biological muscles. Such versatility is afforded by chemistry. New customized liquid crystalline monomers are presented here that modulate material properties for different applications. The role of synthetic material composition is highlighted as we demonstrate how using apparently similar molecular formulations, that liquid crystalline polymers can be adapted to different technological and medical challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Martella
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy. and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Via Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Sara Nocentini
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy. and Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica INRiM, Strada delle Cacce 91, 10135 Turin, Italy
| | - Camilla Parmeggiani
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy. and Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica INRiM, Strada delle Cacce 91, 10135 Turin, Italy and Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Diederik S Wiersma
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy. and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Via Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy and Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica INRiM, Strada delle Cacce 91, 10135 Turin, Italy
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18
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Yang Y, Zhang X, Chen Y, Yang X, Ma J, Wang J, Wang L, Feng W. Bioinspired Color-Changing Photonic Polymer Coatings Based on Three-Dimensional Blue Phase Liquid Crystal Networks. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:41102-41111. [PMID: 34387073 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c11711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Photonic polymer coatings that can adaptively respond to the constant changes of surrounding environments are of profound significance for diverse applications such as optical sensors, information encryption, and adaptive camouflage. Here, we report the fabrication of humidity-driven color-changing photonic polymer coatings on the basis of judiciously designed hydrogen-bonded three-dimensional (3D) blue phase liquid crystal networks. Thanks to the inherent self-assembled 3D photonic nanostructures and tough covalent bonding between the polymers and substrate surfaces, the resulting polymer coatings are found to exhibit vivid structural colors, and humidity-driven reversible color changes across the visible spectrum of light can be achieved upon breaking the hydrogen bonds and subsequent conversion into a hygroscopic polymer coating. As the proof-of-concept applications, we demonstrate the information encryption, inkjet-printable photonic patterns, bioinspired adaptive camouflage, and colorimetric humidity sensor with such promising humidity-driven color-changing photonic polymer coatings. The results disclosed herein are expected to provide new insights into the development of stimuli-responsive advanced functional materials with tailorable 3D photonic nanostructures toward technological applications ranging from sensing, display, anticounterfeiting, and biomimetic camouflage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhao Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yuanhao Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jiazhe Ma
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jingxia Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfaces Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Ling Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Wei Feng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Ceramics and Machining Technology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300350 China
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19
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Blue Phase Liquid Crystals with Tailored Crystal Orientation for Photonic Applications. Symmetry (Basel) 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/sym13091584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Blue phase (BP) liquid crystals, which self-assemble into soft three-dimensional (3D) photonic crystals, have attracted enormous research interest due to their ability to control light and potential photonic applications. BPs have long been known as optically isotropic materials, but recent works have revealed that achieving on-demand 3D orientation of BP crystals is necessary to obtain improved electro-optical performance and tailored optical characteristics. Various approaches have been proposed to precisely manipulate the crystal orientation of BPs on a substrate, through the assistance of external stimuli and directing self-assembly processes. Here, we discuss the various orientation-controlling technologies of BP crystals, with their mechanisms, advantages, drawbacks, and promising applications. This review first focuses on technologies to achieve the uniform crystal plane orientation of BPs on a substrate. Further, we review a strategy to control the azimuthal orientation of BPs along predesigned directions with a uniform crystal plane, allowing the 3D orientation to be uniquely defined on a substrate. The potential applications such as volume holograms are also discussed with their operation principle. This review provides significant advances in 3D photonic crystals and gives a huge potential for intelligent photonic devices with tailored optical characteristics.
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20
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Multi-Pitch Liquid Crystal Filters with Single Layer Polymer Template. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13152521. [PMID: 34372123 PMCID: PMC8348528 DOI: 10.3390/polym13152521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-reflective peak and bandwidth scalable liquid crystal (LC) filters were investigated. By refilling a cholesteric LC (CLC) whose chiral pitch is different to the target template into a blue phase LC (BPLC) template, a multi-reflective peak single layer LC filter can be fabricated. With multiple templating and refilling processes, the number of reflective peaks can be further increased. Moreover, by refilling the CLCs of designed chiral pitch into a CLC template sequentially, a bandwidth scalable single layer CLC filter can be fabricated. The LC filters show great potential applications in optical communication, display, and LC lasing.
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21
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Liu J, Liu W, Guan B, Wang B, Shi L, Jin F, Zheng Z, Wang J, Ikeda T, Jiang L. Diffusionless transformation of soft cubic superstructure from amorphous to simple cubic and body-centered cubic phases. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3477. [PMID: 34108449 PMCID: PMC8190294 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23631-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In a narrow temperature window in going from the isotropic to highly chiral orders, cholesteric liquid crystals exhibit so-called blue phases, consisting of different morphologies of long, space-filling double twisted cylinders. Those of cubic spatial symmetry have attracted considerable attention in recent years as templates for soft photonic materials. The latter often requires the creation of monodomains of predefined orientation and size, but their engineering is complicated by a lack of comprehensive understanding of how blue phases nucleate and transform into each other at a submicrometer length scale. In this work, we accomplish this by intercepting nucleation processes at intermediate stages with fast cross-linking of a stabilizing polymer matrix. We reveal using transmission electron microscopy, synchrotron small-angle X-ray diffraction, and angle-resolved microspectroscopy that the grid of double-twisted cylinders undergoes highly coordinated, diffusionless transformations. In light of our findings, the implementation of several applications is discussed, such as temperature-switchable QR codes, micro-area lasing, and fabrication of blue phase liquid crystals with large domain sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfaces Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Center of Material Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenzhe Liu
- Department of Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro-and Nano-Photonic Structures, and State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Guan
- Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro-and Nano-Photonic Structures, and State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro-and Nano-Photonic Structures, and State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Jin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfaces Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhigang Zheng
- Department of Physics, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jingxia Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfaces Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. .,Center of Material Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Tomiki Ikeda
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfaces Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfaces Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Center of Material Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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22
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Abstract
The template effects on stability of twist structure liquid crystals (LCs) were investigated. By refilling a cholesteric LC (CLC) of different pitch into a blue phase LC (BPLC) template or a sphere phase LC (SPLC) template, a multi-phase and multi-pitch twist structure LC, which includes the refilling CLC and intrinsic template BPLC or SPLC, can be fabricated. By refilling a CLC of different chiral pitch into a CLC template, a multi-pitch CLC that includes the refilling CLC and intrinsic CLC, can be fabricated. Twist structure LC devices with multi-phase and multi-pitch show great potential for applications in optical communication, displays, and LC lasing.
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23
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Yang Y, Wang L, Yang H, Li Q. 3D Chiral Photonic Nanostructures Based on Blue‐Phase Liquid Crystals. SMALL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202100007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhao Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin University Tianjin 300350 China
| | - Ling Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin University Tianjin 300350 China
| | - Huai Yang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering College of Engineering Peking University Beijing 100871 China
| | - Quan Li
- Institute of Advanced Materials and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Southeast University Nanjing 211189 China
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program Kent State University Kent OH 44242 USA
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24
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Ultrastable liquid crystalline blue phase from molecular synergistic self-assembly. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1440. [PMID: 33664257 PMCID: PMC7933424 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21564-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Fabricating functional materials via molecular self-assembly is a promising approach, and precisely controlling the molecular building blocks of nanostructures in the self-assembly process is an essential and challenging task. Blue phase liquid crystals are fascinating self-assembled three-dimensional nanomaterials because of their potential information displays and tuneable photonic applications. However, one of the main obstacles to their applications is their narrow temperature range of a few degrees centigrade, although many prior studies have broadened it to tens via molecular design. In this work, a series of tailored uniaxial rodlike mesogens disfavouring the formation of blue phases are introduced into a blue phase system comprising biaxial dimeric mesogens, a blue phase is observed continuously over a temperature range of 280 °C, and the range remains over 132.0 °C after excluding the frozen glassy state. The findings show that the molecular synergistic self-assembly behavior of biaxial and uniaxial mesogens may play a crucial role in achieving the ultrastable three-dimensional nanostructure of blue phases. Blue phases are spatially ordered yet fragile liquid crystalline structures, bearing applications in optoelectronics and photonics. Hu et al. show that self-assembly within a mixture of different mesogens may significantly broaden the temperature range over which they are stable.
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25
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Zhao W, de Haan LT, Broer DJ, Zhang Y, Lv P, Zhou G. Photopolymerization-enforced stratification in liquid crystal materials. Prog Polym Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2021.101365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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26
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Wang L, Urbas AM, Li Q. Nature-Inspired Emerging Chiral Liquid Crystal Nanostructures: From Molecular Self-Assembly to DNA Mesophase and Nanocolloids. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e1801335. [PMID: 30160812 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201801335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystals (LCs) are omnipresent in living matter, whose chirality is an elegant and distinct feature in certain plant tissues, the cuticles of crabs, beetles, arthropods, and beyond. Taking inspiration from nature, researchers have recently devoted extensive efforts toward developing chiral liquid crystalline materials with self-organized nanostructures and exploring their potential applications in diverse fields ranging from dynamic photonics to energy and safety issues. In this review, an account on the state of the art of emerging chiral liquid crystalline nanostructured materials and their technological applications is provided. First, an overview on the significance of chiral liquid crystalline architectures in various living systems is given. Then, the recent significant progress in different chiral liquid crystalline systems including thermotropic LCs (cholesteric LCs, cubic blue phases, achiral bent-core LCs, etc.) and lyotropic LCs (DNA LCs, nanocellulose LCs, and graphene oxide LCs) is showcased. The review concludes with a perspective on the future scope, opportunities, and challenges in these truly advanced functional soft materials and their promising applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Wang
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Augustine M Urbas
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 45433, USA
| | - Quan Li
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
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27
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Abstract
Liquid crystal templating is a versatile technique to create novel organic and inorganic materials with nanoscale features. It exploits the self-assembled architectures of liquid crystal phases as scaffolds. This article focuses on some of the key developments in lyotropic and thermotropic liquid crystals templating. The procedures that were employed to create templated structures and the applications of these novel materials in various fields including mesoporous membranes, organic electronics, the synthesis of nanostructured materials and photonics, are described.
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28
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Luo WC, Xu YD, Yu GX, Li SS, Li HY, Chen LJ. Reconfigurable polymer-templated liquid crystal holographic gratings via visible-light recording. OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 28:17307-17319. [PMID: 32679941 DOI: 10.1364/oe.392992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Polymer-templated nematic liquid crystal (LC) holographic gratings via visible-light recording are presented in the presence of reactive mesogens (RMs) and rose bengal (RB)/N-phenylglycine (NPG) photoinitiation systems. By optimizing the concentration of RMs in the polymer-templated LC gratings, the template after being washed out can be refilled with suitable fluidic components. And the dependence of the first-order diffraction efficiency (DE) on the concentration of RB and NPG molecules was discussed in detail. The polarization-dependency of diffraction properties was also investigated. It is revealed that the diffractive behaviors of polymer-templated LC gratings can be dynamically reconfigured by varying temperature or refilling organic solutions with different refractive index (RI). Furthermore, the potential for recording holograms using green light is explored. We expect that the reconfigurable polymer-templated LC gratings fabricated via visible-light interference would provide a facile approach to regulate the diffraction properties of holographic gratings apart from electric field, thus paving a way towards a class of novel anti-counterfeiting devices.
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29
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Lee JJ, Kim BC, Choi HJ, Bae S, Araoka F, Choi SW. Inverse Helical Nanofilament Networks Serving as a Chiral Nanotemplate. ACS NANO 2020; 14:5243-5250. [PMID: 32227912 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c00393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Herein, an epoch-making method based on bottom-up templating is proposed for the fabrication of a chiral nanoporous film that provides a chiral environment in which to confine nematic liquid crystals. A helical nanofilamental network of bent-core molecules was utilized as a three-dimensional mold, and thus the fabricated chiral nanoporous film has an inverse nanohelical structure. The presence of a chiral superstructure was confirmed by the observation of circular dichroism signals. Upon refilling this chiral nanoporous film with an achiral nematic liquid crystal, distinct circular dichroism signals appeared due to the transfer of chirality from the inverse helical nanofilaments to the achiral nematic liquid crystal. The circular dichroism signals can be readily modulated by external stimuli, such as the application of heat or an electric field. In addition, by refilling the chiral nanoporous film with a nematic liquid crystal doped with fluorescent dye, it exhibits stimuli-responsive circularly polarized luminescence. The proposed approach has huge potential for practical applications, such as for chiroptical modulators and switches and biological sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Jin Lee
- Department of Advanced Materials Engineering for Information and Electronics (BK21Plus) Kyung Hee University, Yongin-shi, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea
| | - Byeong-Cheon Kim
- Department of Advanced Materials Engineering for Information and Electronics (BK21Plus) Kyung Hee University, Yongin-shi, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea
| | - Hyeon-Joon Choi
- Department of Advanced Materials Engineering for Information and Electronics (BK21Plus) Kyung Hee University, Yongin-shi, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea
| | - Sangwok Bae
- Department of Advanced Materials Engineering for Information and Electronics (BK21Plus) Kyung Hee University, Yongin-shi, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea
| | - Fumito Araoka
- Physicochemical Soft Matter Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Suk-Won Choi
- Department of Advanced Materials Engineering for Information and Electronics (BK21Plus) Kyung Hee University, Yongin-shi, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea
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30
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Chen ZP, Wang XJ, Meng LX, Wang JW, Jia YG. The effect of the position of chiral (−)-menthyl on the formation of blue phase and mesophase behavior in biphenyl-benzoate liquid crystals. J Mol Liq 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2019.112003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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31
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Srivastava AK, Pozhidaev EP, Chigrinov VG, Kwok HS. Vertically aligned ferroelectric liquid crystals with high Kerr constant for field sequential color displays. J Mol Liq 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2019.111054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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32
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Li X, Martínez-González JA, Guzmán O, Ma X, Park K, Zhou C, Kambe Y, Jin HM, Dolan JA, Nealey PF, de Pablo JJ. Sculpted grain boundaries in soft crystals. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaax9112. [PMID: 31819903 PMCID: PMC6884414 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax9112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Engineering the grain boundaries of crystalline materials represents an enduring challenge, particularly in the case of soft materials. Grain boundaries, however, can provide preferential sites for chemical reactions, adsorption processes, nucleation of phase transitions, and mechanical transformations. In this work, "soft heteroepitaxy" is used to exert precise control over the lattice orientation of three-dimensional liquid crystalline soft crystals, thereby granting the ability to sculpt the grain boundaries between them. Since these soft crystals are liquid-like in nature, the heteroepitaxy approach introduced here provides a clear strategy to accurately mold liquid-liquid interfaces in structured liquids with a hitherto unavailable level of precision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Li
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
| | - José A. Martínez-González
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Parque Chapultepec 1570, San Luis Potosí 78295, SLP, México
| | - Orlando Guzmán
- Departamento de Física, Universidad Autonóma Metropolitana, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Ciudad de México 09340, México
| | - Xuedan Ma
- Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Kangho Park
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Chun Zhou
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Yu Kambe
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Hyeong Min Jin
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - James A. Dolan
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Center for Molecular Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Paul F. Nealey
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Center for Molecular Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Juan J. de Pablo
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Center for Molecular Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
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Choi HJ, Bae JH, Bae S, Lee JJ, Nishikawa H, Araoka F, Choi SW. Development of a liquid crystal laser using a simple cubic liquid crystalline blue phase platform. RSC Adv 2019; 9:32922-32927. [PMID: 35529721 PMCID: PMC9073273 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra07460k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A liquid crystal laser using a polymer-stabilized simple cubic blue phase (BPII) platform has been scarcely reported because the polymer stabilization of a BPII is relatively difficult compared to that of a body-centered-cubic BP (BPI). In this study, we succeeded in fabricating a dye-doped polymer-stabilized BPII laser with wide operating-temperature ranges over 15 °C including room temperature. A narrow and sharp single laser peak with a full width at half maximum of approximately 2 nm was derived from the photonic band edge effect of the BPII-distributed feedback optical resonator. As a result, the laser emission was a circularly polarized light, which matched the chirality of the proposed pure BPII. A dye-doped polymer-stabilized simple cubic liquid crystalline blue phase (BPII) laser with wide operating-temperature ranges over 15 °C including room temperature was fabricated.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeon-Joon Choi
- Department of Advanced Materials Engineering for Information and Electronics, Kyung Hee University Yongin-shi Gyeonggi-do 17104 Korea
| | - Jae-Hyun Bae
- Department of Advanced Materials Engineering for Information and Electronics, Kyung Hee University Yongin-shi Gyeonggi-do 17104 Korea
| | - Sangwok Bae
- Department of Advanced Materials Engineering for Information and Electronics, Kyung Hee University Yongin-shi Gyeonggi-do 17104 Korea
| | - Jae-Jin Lee
- Department of Advanced Materials Engineering for Information and Electronics, Kyung Hee University Yongin-shi Gyeonggi-do 17104 Korea
| | - Hiroya Nishikawa
- Physicochemical Soft Matter Research Team, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) Wako Saitama 351 0198 Japan
| | - Fumito Araoka
- Physicochemical Soft Matter Research Team, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) Wako Saitama 351 0198 Japan
| | - Suk-Won Choi
- Department of Advanced Materials Engineering for Information and Electronics, Kyung Hee University Yongin-shi Gyeonggi-do 17104 Korea
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Kim YK, Noh J, Nayani K, Abbott NL. Soft matter from liquid crystals. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:6913-6929. [PMID: 31441481 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm01424a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystals (LCs) are fluids within which molecules exhibit long-range orientational order, leading to anisotropic properties such as optical birefringence and curvature elasticity. Because the ordering of molecules within LCs can be altered by weak external stimuli, LCs have been widely used to create soft matter systems that respond optically to electric fields (LC display), temperature (LC thermometer) or molecular adsorbates (LC chemical sensor). More recent studies, however, have moved beyond investigations of optical responses of LCs to explore the design of complex LC-based soft matter systems that offer the potential to realize more sophisticated functions (e.g., autonomous, self-regulating chemical responses to mechanical stimuli) by directing the interactions of small molecules, synthetic colloids and living cells dispersed within the bulk of LCs or at their interfaces. These studies are also increasingly focusing on LC systems driven beyond equilibrium states. This review presents one perspective on these advances, with an emphasis on the discovery of fundamental phenomena that may enable new technologies. Three areas of progress are highlighted; (i) directed assembly of amphiphilic molecules either within topological defects of LCs or at aqueous interfaces of LCs, (ii) templated polymerization in LCs via chemical vapor deposition, an approach that overcomes fundamental challenges related to control of LC phase behavior during polymerization, and (iii) studies of colloids in LCs, including chiral colloids, soft colloids that are strained by LCs, and active colloids that are driven into organized states by dissipation of energy (e.g. bacteria). These examples, and key unresolved issues discussed at the end of this perspective, serve to convey the message that soft matter systems that integrate ideas from LC, surfactant, polymer and colloid sciences define fertile territory for fundamental studies and creation of future transformative technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Ki Kim
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 113 Ho Plaza, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA. and Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyengbuk 37673, Korea
| | - JungHyun Noh
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 113 Ho Plaza, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
| | - Karthik Nayani
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 113 Ho Plaza, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
| | - Nicholas L Abbott
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, 113 Ho Plaza, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
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Abstract
The multi-wavelength filters in the visible light band using the blue phase liquid crystal (BPLC) template was investigated. A multi-layer templated BPLC (T-BPLC) filter without intermediate dielectric layers was fabricated, which may reflect multi-wavelength in one filter. Compared with the cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) filter, the T-BPLC filter may get a much narrower reflection bandwidth (<15 nm), show better angular stability of incident light, and have a more stable wavelength and bandwidth with a temperature shift. Furthermore, the central wavelength and bandwidth can be easily controlled by the fabrication process and the optimization of the material concentration. When the incident angle varies, the shift of the center wavelength of the T-BPLC filter is much smaller than that of the CLC filter. The multi-wavelength filter shows a potential application in color filters and high-density wavelength division multiplexed networks.
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36
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Gao L, Wang KM, Zhao R, Ma HM, Sun YB. Effect of a Dual Functional Polymer on the Electro-Optical Properties of Blue Phase Liquid Crystals. Polymers (Basel) 2019; 11:polym11071128. [PMID: 31277199 PMCID: PMC6680620 DOI: 10.3390/polym11071128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of the fluorinated monomer with an ethynyl group on the electro-optical properties of polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystals (PSBPLCs) were investigated in different polymer systems. In rigid polymer systems, the Kerr constant can be increased by about 27.6%, while keeping a microsecond response time. In soft polymer systems, hysteresis decreased by about 45.5% and residual birefringence can be reduced from 1.85% to 0.6%. The above phenomena exhibited dual functions of affecting the anchoring energy and the viscosity of the system simultaneously. The results provide a potential value for the ethynyl-containing monomers in PSBPLC systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Gao
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Ke-Meng Wang
- Department of Applied Physics, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Rui Zhao
- Department of Applied Physics, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Hong-Mei Ma
- Department of Applied Physics, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Yu-Bao Sun
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China.
- Department of Applied Physics, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China.
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37
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Jau HC, Lin YT, Li CC, Chen CW, Lin TH. Optically rewritable dynamic phase grating based on blue-phase-templated azobenzene liquid crystal. OPTICS EXPRESS 2019; 27:10580-10585. [PMID: 31052914 DOI: 10.1364/oe.27.010580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We propose an optically rewritable dynamic phase grating based on polymer-templated azo liquid crystal in a blue-phase structure. The grating consists of alternating blue-phase and light-induced isotropic-phase regions, patterned by ultraviolet illumination. In the field-off state, the grating is hidden (showing no diffraction), due to index matching between the two phases. An index change is induced in the blue-phase regions when an external voltage is applied, while the refractive index of the isotropic-phase regions remains the same. The resulting periodic index modulation causes the grating to diffract light. The diffraction efficiency is independent of incident polarization, and the electro-optic response is in the sub-millisecond scale. Enabled by the reversible photoisomerism of the azobenzene, we demonstrate optical-patterning, -erasure, and re-patterning of a single liquid-crystal cell into different grating geometries.
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38
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Yoshizawa D, Okumura Y, Yamamoto J, Kikuchi H. Decreasing the operating voltage of a polymer-stabilized blue phase based on intermolecular affinity. Polym J 2019. [DOI: 10.1038/s41428-019-0183-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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39
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Li X, Martínez-González JA, Park K, Yu C, Zhou Y, de Pablo JJ, Nealey PF. Perfection in Nucleation and Growth of Blue-Phase Single Crystals: Small Free-Energy Required to Self-Assemble at Specific Lattice Orientation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:9487-9495. [PMID: 30763069 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b18078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Chemically patterned surfaces can be used to selectively stabilize blue phases as macroscopic single crystals with a prescribed lattice orientation. By tailoring the interfacial free energy through the pattern characteristics, it is possible to set, with nanoscale precision, the optimal conditions to induce spontaneously blue-phase crystal nucleation on the patterned substrate where a uniform, defect-free, blue-phase single crystal is finally formed in a matter of seconds. The chemical patterns taken into consideration in this work are made up of alternated stripelike regions of homeotropic and planar anchoring. By varying the stripe pattern dimension, including the period and ratio of the planar/homeotropic anchoring width, it is possible to generate blue-phase I single crystals with (110) lattice orientation and blue-phase II single crystals with either the (100), (110), or (111) lattice orientation. Continuum mean-field calculations of the studied systems serve to explain, in terms of the free energy of the systems, how the pattern dimensions favor certain crystallographic orientations while penalizing the others. We found that a small free-energy difference is sufficient to drive the nucleation and growth of blue phases into a certain lattice orientation. Therefore, a processing window for obtaining arbitrary large blue-phase single crystals with predesigned lattice orientation, highly aligned reflective peaks, and significantly short forming time is provided here, which is essential for manufacturing and modulating optical devices and photonics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Li
- Institute for Molecular Engineering , The University of Chicago , Chicago , Illinois 60637 , United States
- Material Science Division , Argonne National Laboratory , Lemont , Illinois 60439 , United States
| | - Jose A Martínez-González
- Facultad de Ciencias , Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí , Av. Parque Chapultepec 1570 s/n , San Luis Potosí 78295 , Mexico
| | - Kangho Park
- Institute for Molecular Engineering , The University of Chicago , Chicago , Illinois 60637 , United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering , Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) , Daejeon 34141 , South Korea
| | - Cecilia Yu
- Institute for Molecular Engineering , The University of Chicago , Chicago , Illinois 60637 , United States
| | - Ye Zhou
- Institute for Molecular Engineering , The University of Chicago , Chicago , Illinois 60637 , United States
| | - Juan J de Pablo
- Institute for Molecular Engineering , The University of Chicago , Chicago , Illinois 60637 , United States
- Material Science Division , Argonne National Laboratory , Lemont , Illinois 60439 , United States
| | - Paul F Nealey
- Institute for Molecular Engineering , The University of Chicago , Chicago , Illinois 60637 , United States
- Material Science Division , Argonne National Laboratory , Lemont , Illinois 60439 , United States
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40
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Cheng KCK, Bedolla-Pantoja MA, Kim YK, Gregory JV, Xie F, de France A, Hussal C, Sun K, Abbott NL, Lahann J. Templated nanofiber synthesis via chemical vapor polymerization into liquid crystalline films. Science 2018; 362:804-808. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aar8449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 06/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth C. K. Cheng
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Marco A. Bedolla-Pantoja
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Young-Ki Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Jason V. Gregory
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Fan Xie
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Alexander de France
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Christoph Hussal
- Institute of Functional Interfaces, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Kai Sun
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nicholas L. Abbott
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Joerg Lahann
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Institute of Functional Interfaces, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
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41
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Pagidi S, Manda R, Lim YJ, Song SM, Yoo H, Woo JH, Lin YH, Lee SH. Helical pitch-dependent electro-optics of optically high transparent nano-phase separated liquid crystals. OPTICS EXPRESS 2018; 26:27368-27380. [PMID: 30469807 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.027368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Feeble light leakage in a dark state of conventional optically isotropic liquid crystal (OILC) device has a strong impact on the contrast ratio of a liquid crystal (LC) device. In order to overcome such intrinsic problem, we proposed an OILC in which the LC directors inside droplets are twisted by introducing chirality. The light leakage is effectively suppressed by matching the refractive indices between LC and polymer matrix; consequently, we achieved a high contrast ratio, 1:1401. Interestingly, the on-state transmittance is enhanced by ~49% compared to conventional OILC. The response time was also improved and the hysteresis was suppressed to be negligible. The improved electro-optic performances of the proposed OILC device would give diverse applications in upcoming flexible display and various photonic devices.
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42
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Karausta A, Bukusoglu E. Liquid Crystal-Templated Synthesis of Mesoporous Membranes with Predetermined Pore Alignment. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:33484-33492. [PMID: 30198253 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b14121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate that polymeric films templated from liquid crystals (LCs) provide basic design principles for the synthesis of mesoporous films with predetermined pore alignment. Specifically, we used LC mixtures of reactive [4-(3-acryloyoxypropyloxy) benzoic acid 2-methyl-1,4-phenylene ester (RM257)] and nonreactive [4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB)] mesogens confined in film geometries. The LC alignment was maintained by functionalization of the surfaces contacting the films during polymerization. Through photopolymerization followed by extraction of the unreacted mesogens, films of area in the order of 10 cm2 were obtained. We found that, when restricted to an area either through a mechanical or a configurational constraint, open and accessible pores were incorporated into the films. The average direction of the pores could be determined by the LC director during polymerization, and the average diameter of the pores can be tuned in the range of 10-40 nm by varying the reactive monomer concentration. The polymeric films synthesized here can potentially be used for the ultrafiltration purposes. We demonstrated successful separations of proteins and nanoparticles from aqueous media using the polymeric films. The films exhibited 2 orders of magnitude higher flux when the pores were aligned parallel to the permeate direction compared to the perpendicular direction. Overall, the outcomes of this study provide basic tools for the synthesis of porous polymeric films with predetermined pore directions that can potentially be suitable for separations, drug delivery, catalysts, and so forth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aslı Karausta
- Chemical Engineering Department , Middle East Technical University , Ankara 06800 , Turkey
| | - Emre Bukusoglu
- Chemical Engineering Department , Middle East Technical University , Ankara 06800 , Turkey
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43
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Lintuvuori JS, Stratford K, Cates ME, Marenduzzo D. Mixtures of Blue Phase Liquid Crystal with Simple Liquids: Elastic Emulsions and Cubic Fluid Cylinders. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2018; 121:037802. [PMID: 30085823 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.121.037802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We numerically investigate the behavior of a phase-separating mixture of a blue phase I liquid crystal with an isotropic fluid. The resulting morphology is primarily controlled by an inverse capillary number, χ, setting the balance between interfacial and elastic forces. When χ and the concentration of the isotropic component are both low, the blue phase disclination lattice templates a cubic array of fluid cylinders. For larger χ, the isotropic phase arranges primarily into liquid emulsion droplets which coarsen very slowly, rewiring the blue phase disclination lines into an amorphous elastic network. Our blue phase-simple fluid composites can be externally manipulated: an electric field can trigger a morphological transition between cubic fluid cylinder phases with different topologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Lintuvuori
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, LOMA, UMR 5798, Talence F-33405, France
| | - K Stratford
- EPCC, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
| | - M E Cates
- DAMTP, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0WA, United Kingdom
| | - D Marenduzzo
- SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
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44
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Liu F, Ma G, Zhao D. Nickel nanoparticle-stabilized room-temperature blue-phase liquid crystals. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 29:285703. [PMID: 29595520 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aabaa4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Blue-phase liquid crystals (BPLCs) are regarded as a potential candidate for the next generation of optical devices, but they appear in a narrow temperature range, which restricts their applicability. The nanoparticle (NP) stabilization of BPLCs, is usually about either simple-cubic BP (BPII) or body-centered-cubic BP (BPI). Hence, NP-stabilized BPIIs and BPIs possessing wide temperature ranges have been scarcely reported. Here, nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) were synthesized and introduced into a BPLC. The concentration-dependent temperature range effects of Ni NPs on the BPLC were investigated. A trace amount of Ni NPs could stabilize the BPLC and increase the temperature ranges of BPII and BPI; this is attributable to the Ni NPs tending to be trapped at the joints of the disclination lines, as a result of the elastic interaction, stabilizing the overall lattice structure of the BPLC. When doped with 0.05 wt% Ni NPs, the mixture shows a wider range with 7.7 °C than the range with 5.9 °C of the BPLC without Ni NPs. Meanwhile, the phase sequence and range of the aforementioned phases are reproducible upon heating and cooling, which shows that the BPLCs doped with Ni NPs are thermodynamically stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fashun Liu
- School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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45
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46
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Kim SU, Lee SH, Lee IH, Lee BY, Na JH, Lee SD. Generation of intensity-tunable structural color from helical photonic crystals for full color reflective-type display. OPTICS EXPRESS 2018; 26:13561-13572. [PMID: 29801380 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.013561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A new concept of intensity-tunable structural coloration is proposed on the basis of a helical photonic crystal (HPC). The HPCs are constructed from a mixture of chiral reactive mesogens by spin-coating, followed by the photo-polymerization. A liquid crystal (LC) layer, being homogeneously aligned, is prepared on the HPCs to serve as a tunable waveplate. The electrical modulation of the phase retardation through the LC layer directly leads to the intensity-tunable Bragg reflection from the HPCs upon the incidence of the polarized light. The bandwidths of the structural colors are found to be well preserved regardless of the applied voltage. A prototype of a full color reflective-type display, incorporated with three primary color units, is demonstrated. Our concept of decoupling two mutually independent functions, the intensity modulation by the tunable waveplate and the color reflection by the HPCs provides a simple and powerful way of producing a full color reflective-type display which possesses high color purity, high optical efficiency, the cycling durability, and the design flexibility.
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Bukusoglu E, Martinez-Gonzalez JA, Wang X, Zhou Y, de Pablo JJ, Abbott NL. Strain-induced alignment and phase behavior of blue phase liquid crystals confined to thin films. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:8999-9006. [PMID: 29164213 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm01755c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We report on the influence of surface confinement on the phase behavior and strain-induced alignment of thin films of blue phase liquid crystals (BPs). Confining surfaces comprised of bare glass, dimethyloctadecyl [3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] ammonium chloride (DMOAP)-functionalized glass, or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-coated glass were used with or without mechanically rubbing to influence the azimuthal anchoring of the BPs. These experiments reveal that confinement can change the phase behavior of the BP films. For example, in experiments performed with rubbed-PVA surfaces, we measured the elastic strain of the BPs to change the isotropic-BPII phase boundary, suppressing formation of BPII for film thicknesses incommensurate with the BPII lattice. In addition, we observed strain-induced alignment of the BPs to exhibit a complex dependence on both the surface chemistry and azimuthal alignment of the BPs. For example, when using bare glass surfaces causing azimuthally degenerate and planar anchoring, BPI oriented with (110) planes of the unit cell parallel to the contacting surfaces for thicknesses below 3 μm but transitioned to an orientation with (200) planes aligned parallel to the contacting surfaces for thicknesses above 4 μm. In contrast, BPI aligned with (110) planes parallel to confining surfaces for all other thicknesses and surface treatments, including bare glass with uniform azimuthal alignment. Complementary simulations based on minimization of the total free energy (Landau-de Gennes formalism) confirmed a thickness-dependent reorientation due to strain of BPI unit cells within a window of surface anchoring energies and in the absence of uniform azimuthal alignment. In contrast to BPI, BPII did not exhibit thickness-dependent orientations but did exhibit orientations that were dependent on the surface chemistry, a result that was also captured in simulations by varying the anchoring energies. Overall, the results in this paper reveal that the orientations assumed by BPs in thin films reflect a complex interplay of surface interactions and elastic energies associated with strain of the BP lattice. The results also provide new principles and methods to control the structure and properties of BP thin films, which may find use in BP-templated material synthesis, and BP-based optical and electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Bukusoglu
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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Gandhi SS, Chien LC. Unraveling the Mystery of the Blue Fog: Structure, Properties, and Applications of Amorphous Blue Phase III. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2017; 29:1704296. [PMID: 28994150 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201704296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The amorphous blue phase III of cholesteric liquid crystals, also known as the "blue fog," are among the rising stars in materials science that can potentially be used to develop next-generation displays with the ability to compete toe-to-toe with disruptive technologies like organic light-emitting diodes. The structure and properties of the practically unobservable blue phase III have eluded scientists for more than a century since it was discovered. This progress report reviews the developments in this field from both fundamental and applied research perspectives. The first part of this progress report gives an overview of the 130-years-long scientific tour-de-force that very recently resulted in the revelation of the mysterious structure of blue phase III. The second part reviews progress made in the past decade in developing electrooptical, optical, and photonic devices based on blue phase III. The strong and weak aspects of the development of these devices are underlined and criticized, respectively. The third- and-final part proposes ideas for further improvement in blue phase III technology to make it feasible for commercialization and widespread use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahil Sandesh Gandhi
- Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, 1425 Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Liang-Chy Chien
- Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, 1425 Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
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Sasaki Y, Ueda M, Le KV, Amano R, Sakane S, Fujii S, Araoka F, Orihara H. Polymer-Stabilized Micropixelated Liquid Crystals with Tunable Optical Properties Fabricated by Double Templating. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2017; 29:1703054. [PMID: 28758707 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201703054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Self-organized nano- and microstructures of soft materials are attracting considerable attention because most of them are stimuli-responsive due to their soft nature. In this regard, topological defects in liquid crystals (LCs) are promising not only for self-assembling colloids and molecules but also for electro-optical applications such as optical vortex generation. However, there are currently few bottom-up methods for patterning a large number of defects periodically over a large area. It would be highly desirable to develop more effective techniques for high-throughput and low-cost fabrication. Here, a micropixelated LC structure consisting of a square array of topological defects is stabilized by photopolymerization. A polymer network is formed on the structure of a self-organized template of a nematic liquid crystal (NLC), and this in turn imprints other nonpolymerizable NLC molecules, which maintains their responses to electric field and temperature. Photocuring of specific local regions is used to create a designable template for the reproducible self-organization of defects. Moreover, a highly diluted polymer network (≈0.1 wt% monomer) exhibits instant on-off switching of the patterns. Beyond the mere stabilization of patterns, these results demonstrate that the incorporation of self-organized NLC patterns offers some unique and unconventional applications for anisotropic polymer networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Sasaki
- Division of Applied Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Motoshi Ueda
- Division of Applied Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Khoa V Le
- RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8601, Japan
| | - Reo Amano
- Division of Applied Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Shin Sakane
- Division of Applied Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Shuji Fujii
- Division of Applied Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Fumito Araoka
- RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Orihara
- Division of Applied Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, North 13 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8628, Japan
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Large three-dimensional photonic crystals based on monocrystalline liquid crystal blue phases. Nat Commun 2017; 8:727. [PMID: 28959009 PMCID: PMC5620071 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00822-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Although there have been intense efforts to fabricate large three-dimensional photonic crystals in order to realize their full potential, the technologies developed so far are still beset with various material processing and cost issues. Conventional top-down fabrications are costly and time-consuming, whereas natural self-assembly and bottom-up fabrications often result in high defect density and limited dimensions. Here we report the fabrication of extraordinarily large monocrystalline photonic crystals by controlling the self-assembly processes which occur in unique phases of liquid crystals that exhibit three-dimensional photonic-crystalline properties called liquid-crystal blue phases. In particular, we have developed a gradient-temperature technique that enables three-dimensional photonic crystals to grow to lateral dimensions of ~1 cm (~30,000 of unit cells) and thickness of ~100 μm (~ 300 unit cells). These giant single crystals exhibit extraordinarily sharp photonic bandgaps with high reflectivity, long-range periodicity in all dimensions and well-defined lattice orientation.Conventional fabrication approaches for large-size three-dimensional photonic crystals are problematic. By properly controlling the self-assembly processes, the authors report the fabrication of monocrystalline blue phase liquid crystals that exhibit three-dimensional photonic-crystalline properties.
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