Flexible blue phase liquid crystal film with high stability based on polymerized liquid crystals

ABSTRACT

Flexible low-power reflective photonics and display devices with high stability to environmental stimuli such as temperature and mechanical stress have attracted significant attention. Although a lot of efforts have been dedicated in developing blue phase liquid crystals films with high stability and low sensitivity to circumstance, challenges still remain due to the existence of liquid crystals that are sensitive to temperature or mechanical stress. Herein, we demonstrate a flexible blue phase liquid crystal film with high stability through one-step fabrication based on polymerisable liquid crystal. Broad temperature range from −50°C~260°C has been achieved, and the mechanical stress effect has been investigated. The fabricated film is solid without liquid crystal material. This flexible blue phase liquid crystal film with a broad working temperature range, good mechanical stress insensitivity, easy and simple fabrication procedure shows application potential in flexible reflective display, lasers and sensors, where the premier requirement is stability instead of tenability.

Graphical abstract

(a) Schematic of blue phase liquid crystal film in BPI with body-centred cubic structure; (b) Double twist cylinder consisted by liquid crystal molecular in BPI.

KEYWORDS:

• Liquid crystals
• polymers
• film
• blue phase

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work is supported by Natural National Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (61875081), and Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission (JCYJ20180305180700747, JCYJ20160226192528793).