Chiral Photonic Aerogels: Pressure‐Responsive Hierarchical Chiral Photonic Aerogels (Adv. Mater. 21/2019). Issue 21 (21st May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cao, Yuanyuan; Lewis, Lev; Hamad, Wadood Y.; MacLachlan, Mark J.
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 31:Issue 21(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-05-21
• Subjects: chiral nematic liquid crystals -- hierarchical chiral cellulose aerogels -- ice templating -- mechanoresponsive photonic crystal aerogels -- solvent‐sensitive inks; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201970153
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract : Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), renewable materials obtained from biomass, have been used to construct lightweight aerogels materials. In article1808186, Mark MacLachlan and co‐workers demonstrate that these materials have interesting optical properties. In their natural state, the materials appear white due to scattering from their 3D hierarchical structure. Upon compression, the materials transform into a 2D layered structure, turning on their chiral photonic properties. By incorporating an elastomer into the CNCs, the mechanoresponsive materials show reversible cycling between white and iridescent.