Light Tracking and Light Guiding Fiber Arrays by Adjusting the Location of Photoresponsive Azobenzene in Liquid Crystal Networks

Li Liu, Marc del Pozo Puig, S.F. Mohseninejad, Michael G. Debije, Dirk J. Broer (Corresponding author), Albert P.H.J. Schenning (Corresponding author)

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

56 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

The integration of light tracking and light guiding within fiber arrays is an intriguing challenge. In this study, an advanced drop casting/drawing method is applied to fabricate a fiber array capable of not only performing sunflower‐inspired light tracking, but also light guiding. The fiber arrays are constructed with various liquid crystal networks by adjusting the location of photoresponsive azobenzene moieties in the polymer network to understand the correlation between the extent of photoresponse and azobenzene location. Incorporating the azobenzene in the main chain oligomer renders these fibers with advanced photoresponse in both air and water. The fibers are able to track a light source and to guide the collected light, making these responsive actuator arrays potentially attractive for advanced photovoltaic and optical elements.
Original languageEnglish
Article number2000732
Number of pages7
JournalAdvanced Optical Materials
Volume8
Issue number18
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Sept 2020

Funding

L.L. acknowledges the financial support from China Scholarship Council (CSC). M.d.P. acknowledges the funding from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) in the framework of the Innovation Fund Chemistry and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy in the framework of the PPP allowance. Davey C. Hoekstra is acknowledged for GPC measurements. Authors also thank Marina Pilz da Cunha and Rob C. P. Verpaalen for fruitful discussions.

FundersFunder number
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
China Scholarship Council
Ministerie van Economische Zaken en Klimaat

    Keywords

    • fiber arrays
    • light guiding
    • light tracking
    • liquid crystals
    • photoresponsive actuators

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