The transfer and amplification of cyanostilbene molecular function to advanced flexible optical paints through self-crosslinkable side-chain liquid crystal polysiloxanes

Mater Horiz. 2021 May 1;8(5):1561-1569. doi: 10.1039/d1mh00004g. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Abstract

A self-crosslinkable side-chain liquid crystal polysiloxane containing cyanostilbene (Si-CSM) was newly synthesized for the development of a new generation of flexible optical paints. The photoisomerization of the cyanostilbene moiety at the molecular level was transferred and amplified to the phase transition of Si-CSM, resulting in changes in the macroscopic optical properties of the Si-CSM thin film. The self-crosslinking reaction between Si-H groups in the Si-CSM polymer backbone caused the self-crosslinked Si-CSM thin film to be very elastic and both thermally and chemically stable. Therefore, the self-crosslinked Si-CSM thin film endured stretching and bending deformations under relatively harsh conditions. In addition, the uniaxially oriented and self-crosslinked Si-CSM thin film generated linearly polarized light emission. Polarization-dependent and photopatternable secret coatings were fabricated via a spontaneous self-crosslinking reaction after coating the Si-CSM paint and irradiating ultraviolet (UV) light through a photomask. This newly developed flexible optical Si-CSM paint can be applied in next-generation optical coatings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Liquid Crystals*
  • Paint
  • Phase Transition
  • Polymers
  • Siloxanes*

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Siloxanes