Liquid crystal microparticles controlled their molecular orientation exhibit unique material properties such as responsiveness to external stimuli. These material properties can be enhanced by introduction of crosslinked structure. Recently, we achieved the fabrication of the chiral nematic liquid crystalline polymer microparticles by dispersion polymerization. The particles are monodisperse and have controlled molecular orientation, thus potentially paving the way for the numerous applications. In this study, we investigated the material properties of the chiral nematic liquid crystalline polymer particles. As a result, the obtained polymer particles showed the wavelength-dependent light reflection based on the helical molecular orientation of the chiral nematic liquid crystalline polymer. In addition, we demonstrated introduction of a crosslinked structure into polymer particles and investigated its effect on the material properties of the microparticles. As a result, the introduction of crosslinked structure gave the particles the solvent resistance without losing other material properties.
Liquid crystal (LC) elastomers exhibit remarkable mechano-optical properties, combining the elasticity of elastomers with the molecular orientation of LCs. These unique characteristics have spurred the advancement of next-generation applications, including wearable optical sensors, reconfigurable photonic materials, and solar energy harvesting. Nonetheless, achieving dynamic control over both mechanical deformation and molecular reorientation remains a challenge due to the viscoelastic nature of LC elastomers. In this study, we propose a straightforward approach to tune the recovery response of mechanical deformation and molecular orientation just by simply introducing external layers in elastomer films. Through this material design, we can achieve the desired mechano-optical properties in multilayered LC elastomers. By strategically modifying the external layers, we can tailor the viscoelasticity and enhance the recovery response of the LC elastomers. Our proposed concept provides a versatile platform for the development of high-performance and multifunctional stimulus-responsive materials. By optimizing the recovery response of both mechanical deformation and molecular orientation, we can unlock new possibilities in the field of mechano-optics, enabling the creation of advanced devices with improved functionality and performance.
Flexible electronic devices composed of polymers and elastomers require high mechanical durability to maintain their performance during cyclic bending. To design the appropriate structure for such devices, it is important to identify the position of a neutral mechanical plane (NMP) where there is no strain inside a bending material. In this study, the NMP position of bending polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film, which is a common soft material used in flexible electronic devices, is experimentally identified through internal strain measurement using a cholesteric liquid crystal sensor. Notably, the NMP of the bending PDMS film reversibly shifts toward the inner bending surface. Further, considering the NMP shifting enables us to fabricate a flexible electronic device with high mechanical durability. Quantifying the NMP position facilitates the development of device designs for flexible electronics.
In the chiral-liquid-crystal (LC*) phase, calamitic molecules are aligned helically; hence, the refractive indices of the materials are altered periodically along the helical axis. The LC* materials have unique optical properties, such as selective reflection, that arise from the periodic structure of the refractive index. Here, we report a simple method for preparing monodispersed microparticles of LC* polymers. Optimizing polymerization conditions, monodispersed LC* polymer microparticles were obtained. In these particles, we could three-dimensionally control the helical-axis orientation of molecules. Based on the helical alignment, each single particle selectively reflected visible light. Because of the monodispersity, the microparticles showed no photonic cross-communication; namely, a clear reflection color without any optical degradation was observed, suggesting that LC* materials have potential for optical application in holographic coatings and omni-directional lasing.
To develop flexible devices that have mechanical durability, understanding the bending behavior of soft material components is quite important. However, measuring bending strain in soft materials has been limited to their surface due to experimental constraints. In addition to the surface strain analysis, internal strain analysis will further clarify the bending behavior of soft materials. In this study, we quantified internal strain in bending polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films, which are a common soft material, through the selective reflection of a cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer (CLCE). The strain analysis with the CLCE revealed that internal strains depend on the position of the bending PDMS films. This internal strain quantification of soft materials leads to the development of flexible devices with high mechanical durability.
In chiral-liquid-crystal (LC*) phased, LC molecules are aligned helically; hence, the refractive indices of the LC* materials are altered periodically along the helical axis. The LC* materials have unique optical properties, such as selective reflection, that arise from the periodic structure of the refractive index. The wavelength of the selective reflection depends on the helical pitch as it is a Bragg reflection; therefore, we can control the reflective wavelength by controlling the helical pitch. In this study, we observed the mechano-optical behaviors of LC* elastomers, and discussed the relationship between the chemical structures of elastomers and mechano-responsive optical properties. When tensile strain was applied to the films, reversible hypsochromic shift in the reflection wavelength was induced. The results of the mechano-optical behavior observed for the LC* elastomers suggest that LC* materials have potential for application in mechanical sensors for soft robots.
A rod-like Au(I) complex, which has a naphthalene ring in a mesogenic core, was synthesized by complexation of an ethynyl-substituted naphthalene derivative with (tht)AuCl, followed by treatment with 1-pentyl isocyanide. Characterization by NMR and X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed its molecular structure and crystal packing structure. The Au complex was found to exhibit enantiotropic liquid crystallinity. The temperature range in which a liquid–crystalline (LC) phase existed was wider than those for the corresponding LC gold complexes with phenyl or biphenyl moieties reported so far. For the Au complex in this study, photoluminescence was observed at 505 nm in the crystalline phase. In this paper, the relationship between molecular structure and LC behavior or photophysical properties is described by comparing this complex with other rod-like Au complexes.
An azobenzene liquid crystal attached to gold nanoparticles with average diameter of 3.5 ± 1.1 nm was synthesized.
The gold nanoparticles prepared in this study were soluble in common non-polar organic solvents such as toluene, chloroform and so on, but not soluble in polar solvents. The particles exhibited their absorption maximum at around 500 nm due to surface plasmon resonance. We confirmed that the reversible photochemical and thermal isomerization of the azobenzene moieties could also be induced on the surface of the gold nanoparticles by UV irradiation. Furthermore, the azobenzene LCs used in this study showed LC behavior even if they attached to the gold nanoparticles.
Photochemically induced nematic (N)-isotropic (I) phase transition behavior and domain formation of the azobenzene/liquid crystal (LC) mixtures in the presence of non-mesogenic dopants were evaluated. When a bent-shaped non-mesogenic molecule was added to the azobenzene LCs, formation of I domains was formed effectively on photoirradiation to cause the trans-cis isomerization of the azobenzene. The domain formation results from the aggregation of cis isomers, which could be enhanced to more extent with the aid of the bent-shaped dopant with a common structural feature to the cis-azobenzene. When the formation of the I domain proceeds quickly upon photoirradiation, the photochemical phase transition is induced more effectively.
Photoinduced two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) alignment behavior of polymer liquid crystals (LCs) with azobenzene moieties was investigated. Two-dimensional alignment of the polymer LCs was brought about on irradiation with linearly polarized light. The effects of various factors on the phenomena were discussed in detail, and experimental conditions and structural parameters of the polymer LCs were optimized. It was found that the response could be enhanced by two methods: chemically tailoring the structure of the polymer LCs and physically modifying the alignment procedure. Three- dimensional alignment of the azobenzene moieties was achieved on irradiation with unpolarized light. It was revealed that the azobenzene moieties were aligned along the propagation direction of the incident light. Photochemically inert mesogens underwent reorientation together with azobenzene moieties in the 2-D as well as 3-D alignment process.
Manipulation of light by light as a stimulus by the use of liquid-crystalline materials was explored, which was aimed at optical switching, optical image storage and optical display. Two types of the liquid-crystalline materials are used: nematic liquid crystals and ferroelectric liquid (FLCs). Several kinds of optical switching and image storage systems were demonstrated by means of photochromic molecules and photosensitive LC alignment layer to induce the change in alignment of the LCs: 1) Fast nematic to isotropic phase transition of azobenzene LCs was induced by the laser pulse in two modes of analysis, transmission mode and reflection mode. 2) Optical switching in FLCs doped with the azobenzene was investigated with regard to photochemical flip of polarization of the FLCs. 3) Optical control of polymer- dispersed LC was explored by means of the azobenzene LC. 4) Optical switching and fabrication of nonrubbed alignment layer based on the novel photophysical principle was achieved in terms of photosensitive polyimide as an LC alignment layer. 5) Optical control of conductivity was performed by the use of LC thiophene derivatives.
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