Free-Standing and Circular-Polarizing Chirophotonic Crystal Reflectors: Photopolymerization of Helical Nanostructures

Abstract

The preparation of materials exhibiting structural colors has been intensively studied in biomimetic science and technology. Utilizing a newly synthesized cholesteric liquid-crystal (CLC) monomer (abbreviated as BP 1 CRM), we have prepared CLC films. Photoinitiated copolymerization of this monomer with a common achiral liquid-crystalline monomer produced free-standing films with homogeneous and nanoscale pitch distributions. Employing the thermal sensitivity of the CLC monomer, chirophotonic crystal reflectors were prepared exhibiting a range of colors. The free-standing and circular-polarizing chirophotonic crystal films maintain excellent thermal, mechanical, and chemical stabilities, and the composition can readily be applied as polarized optical films and smart paints.