Principles of preparing broad-wave reflective films supported by nanofiber networks

ABSTRACT

In this study, polymer-stabilised cholesterol-based liquid crystal (PSCLC) films with broadband reflection were prepared using nanofiber networks loaded with nanoparticles as the network supports throughout the liquid crystal cassette. The nanofiber prepared by electrostatic spinning technique ensures that the nanoparticles can be relatively uniformly distributed in the films, in addition to the formation of a fibre network that can replace the role of monomers and form network support. A series of studies on the concentration of nanoparticles and polymerisation conditions were carried out to obtain the maximum inhomogeneous distribution of spacing. The distribution of nanoparticles in the film was characterised by SEM and EDS; the stability of liquid crystals (LCs) and fibres with temperature was demonstrated by POM. The prepared broad-wave reflective films are of great value in intelligent windows and infrared shielding devices.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Broadband reflection
• nanofiber networks
• distribution of nanoparticles
• network support

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 52173263], the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province, China [No. 2108085J11], and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Northwestern Polytechnical University [No. D5000210825].