A printable H-bonded cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) polymer film has been fabricated that, after conversion to a hygroscopic polymer salt film, responds to temperature and humidity by changing its reflection color. Fast-responding humidity sensors have been made in which the reflection color changes between green and yellow depending on the relative humidity. The change in reflection band is a result of a change in helix pitch in the film due to absorption and desorption of water, resulting in swelling/deswelling of the film material. When the polymer salt was saturated with water, a red-reflecting film was obtained that can potentially act as a time/temperature integrator. Finally, the films were printed on a foil, showing the potential application of supramolecular CLC materials as low-cost, printable, battery-free optical sensors.
| Authors: |
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Nicole Herzer; Hilal Guneysu; Dylan J. D. Davies; Derya Yildirim; Antonio R. Vaccaro; Dirk J. Broer; Cees W. M. Bastiaansen; Albertus P. H. J. Schenning |
| Journal: |
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Journal of the American Chemical Society
|
| Year: |
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2012 |
| DOI: |
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10.1021/ja301845n |
| Publication date: |
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27-04-2012 |