Cholesteric liquid crystal films with adjustable wavelength band and reflectance by using wash-out/refill technique and light-responsive compounds

ABSTRACT

Cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) film with adjustable high reflection wavelength of light response is prepared by refilling the light-response CLC system into the polymer network with broadband reflection memory effect, which is the washing out/refilling method. The film is reusable with some treatment. The adjustable range of high reflection wavelengths in the near-infrared region and visible region were 1270–1750 nm and 640–1110 nm, respectively. In addition, a highly reflective film with broadband reflection has been successfully prepared in the wavelength range of 1238–1826 nm, and the waveband can reach 588 nm. This research has excellent application prospects in building energy conservation, radiation protection, aerospace and other fields.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Liquid crystal
• light response
• broadband reflection
• high reflection

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 [Nos. 52073027, 51973017] and Science and Technology Planning Project of 2020 Beijing Education Commission [KM202010015006].