Anisotropic iridescence and polarization patterns in a direct ink written chiral photonic polymer

Jeroen A.H.P. Sol; H. Sentjens; Lanti Yang; Nadia Grossiord; Albert P.H.J. Schenning; Michael G. Debije

doi:10.1002/adma.202103309

Anisotropic iridescence and polarization patterns in a direct ink written chiral photonic polymer

Jeroen A.H.P. Sol, H. Sentjens, Lanti Yang, Nadia Grossiord, Albert P.H.J. Schenning (Corresponding author), Michael G. Debije (Corresponding author)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

The iridescence of structural color and its polarization characteristics originate from the nanoscale organization of materials. A major challenge in materials science is generating the bright, lustrous hues seen in nature through nanoscale engineering, while simultaneously controlling interaction of the material with different light polarizations. In this work, a suitable chiral nematic liquid crystal elastomer ink is synthesized for direct ink writing, which self-assembles into a chiral photonic structure. Tuning the writing direction and speed leads to the programmed formation of a slanted photonic axis, which exhibits atypical iridescence and polarization selectivity. After crosslinking, a freely programmable, chiroptical photonic polymer material is obtained. The strongly perspective-dependent appearance of the material can function as specialized anticounterfeit markers, as optical elements in decorative iridescent coatings, or, as demonstrated here, in optically based signaling features.

Original language	English
Article number	2103309
Number of pages	9
Journal	Advanced Materials
Volume	33
Issue number	39
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202103309
Publication status	Published - 1 Oct 2021

Funding

The authors express their gratitude towards Tom Bus (TU/e), Simon J. A. Houben (TU/e) and Menno Bergmeijer (SABIC) for their efforts in microscale characterization of the material, Dr. Davey C. Hoekstra (TU/e) for GPC measurements and critical reading of the manuscript, Dr. Gilles H. Timmermans (TU/e) for his critical reading of the manuscript, Ralf A. A. Bovee (TU/e) for MALDI‐ToF‐MS measurements, Dr. Marina Pilz da Cunha (TU/e) and Marc del Pozo (TU/e) as discussion partners, Dr. Dirk Jan Mulder (TU/e), Sean J. D. Lugger (TU/e) and Dr. Johan Lub (TU/e) for help with synthesis and various discussions, Dr. Carlos Sánchez Somolinos (CSIC‐Universidad de Zaragoza) and Dr. Dan Jing Wu (TU/e) for initial ideas about, and help with, DIW, and David Herman (Hyrel) for remote support during the DIW procedure. Finally, the first author acknowledges the peer reviewers of this work for their efforts. This research is funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) in the framework of the Innovation Fund Chemistry and from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy in the framework of the PPP allowance. The authors express their gratitude towards Tom Bus (TU/e), Simon J. A. Houben (TU/e) and Menno Bergmeijer (SABIC) for their efforts in microscale characterization of the material, Dr. Davey C. Hoekstra (TU/e) for GPC measurements and critical reading of the manuscript, Dr. Gilles H. Timmermans (TU/e) for his critical reading of the manuscript, Ralf A. A. Bovee (TU/e) for MALDI-ToF-MS measurements, Dr. Marina Pilz da Cunha (TU/e) and Marc del Pozo (TU/e) as discussion partners, Dr. Dirk Jan Mulder (TU/e), Sean J. D. Lugger (TU/e) and Dr. Johan Lub (TU/e) for help with synthesis and various discussions, Dr. Carlos Sánchez Somolinos (CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza) and Dr. Dan Jing Wu (TU/e) for initial ideas about, and help with, DIW, and David Herman (Hyrel) for remote support during the DIW procedure. Finally, the first author acknowledges the peer reviewers of this work for their efforts. This research is funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) in the framework of the Innovation Fund Chemistry and from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy in the framework of the PPP allowance. Note: The figures were reset in higher resolution after initial publication online.

Funders	Funder number
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
Universidad de Zaragoza
Ministerie van Economische Zaken en Klimaat

Keywords

chiral nematic liquid crystals
chiroptical materials
direct ink writing
photonic inks
photonic structures
tunable dichroism

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10.1002/adma.202103309Licence: CC BY-NC

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Cite this

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title = "Anisotropic iridescence and polarization patterns in a direct ink written chiral photonic polymer",

abstract = "The iridescence of structural color and its polarization characteristics originate from the nanoscale organization of materials. A major challenge in materials science is generating the bright, lustrous hues seen in nature through nanoscale engineering, while simultaneously controlling interaction of the material with different light polarizations. In this work, a suitable chiral nematic liquid crystal elastomer ink is synthesized for direct ink writing, which self-assembles into a chiral photonic structure. Tuning the writing direction and speed leads to the programmed formation of a slanted photonic axis, which exhibits atypical iridescence and polarization selectivity. After crosslinking, a freely programmable, chiroptical photonic polymer material is obtained. The strongly perspective-dependent appearance of the material can function as specialized anticounterfeit markers, as optical elements in decorative iridescent coatings, or, as demonstrated here, in optically based signaling features.",

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AU - Schenning, Albert P.H.J.

AU - Debije, Michael G.

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AB - The iridescence of structural color and its polarization characteristics originate from the nanoscale organization of materials. A major challenge in materials science is generating the bright, lustrous hues seen in nature through nanoscale engineering, while simultaneously controlling interaction of the material with different light polarizations. In this work, a suitable chiral nematic liquid crystal elastomer ink is synthesized for direct ink writing, which self-assembles into a chiral photonic structure. Tuning the writing direction and speed leads to the programmed formation of a slanted photonic axis, which exhibits atypical iridescence and polarization selectivity. After crosslinking, a freely programmable, chiroptical photonic polymer material is obtained. The strongly perspective-dependent appearance of the material can function as specialized anticounterfeit markers, as optical elements in decorative iridescent coatings, or, as demonstrated here, in optically based signaling features.

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Anisotropic iridescence and polarization patterns in a direct ink written chiral photonic polymer

Abstract

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Keywords

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3D-Printed Ink Produces Elements with Disparate Optical Effects

Cholesteric Liquid Crystals in Additive Manufacturing

Cite this

Anisotropic iridescence and polarization patterns in a direct ink written chiral photonic polymer

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Press/Media

3D-Printed Ink Produces Elements with Disparate Optical Effects

Research output

Cholesteric Liquid Crystals in Additive Manufacturing

Cite this