Janus Microdroplets with Tunable Self‐Recoverable and Switchable Reflective Structural Colors. Issue 5 (18th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Mingzhu; Fu, Jiemin; Yang, Shengsong; Wang, Yuchen; Jin, Lishuai; Nah, So Hee; Gao, Yuchong; Ning, Yifan; Murray, Christopher B.; Yang, Shu
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 35:Issue 5(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-12-18
• Subjects: cholesteric liquid crystals -- data encryption -- Janus microdroplets -- reflective structural color displays -- switchable; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202207985
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: Microdroplets made from chiral liquid crystals (CLCs) can display reflective structural colors. However, the small area of reflection and their isotropic shape limit their performance. Here, Janus microdroplets are synthesized through phase separation between CLCs and silicone oil. The as‐synthesized Janus microdroplets show primary structural colors with ≈14 times larger area compared to their spherical counterparts at a specific orientation; the orientation and thus the colored/transparent states can be switched by applying a magnetic field. The color of the Janus microdroplets can be tuned ranging from red to violet by varying the concentration of the chiral dopant in the CLC phase. Due to the density difference between the two phases, the Janus microdroplets prefer to orientate the silicone oil side up vertically, enabling the self‐recoverable structural color after distortion. The Janus microdroplets can be dispersed in aqueous media to track the configuration and speed of magnetic objects. They can also be patterned as multiplexed labels for data encryption. The magnetic field‐responsive Janus CLC microdroplets presented here offer new insights to generate and switch reflective colors with high color saturation. It also paves the way for broader applications of CLCs, including anti‐counterfeiting, data encryption, display, and untethered speed sensors. Abstract : Janus microdroplets consisting of chiral nematic liquid crystals and silicone oil are synthesized, showing a large area of reflective colors compared with the spherical microdroplets. The reflective colors can be tuned by the chiral dopant concentration, the viewing angle, and magnetic field‐responsive orientation of the droplets. Their suspension can be applied to self‐recoverable displays, magnetic tracking, and data encryption.