Chiral Photonic Cellulose Films Enabling Mechano/Chemo Responsive Selective Reflection of Circularly Polarized Light

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive selective reflection of circularly polarized light in a broad wavelength range is of significance from scientific and technological viewpoints. Herein, chiral photonic cellulose films are fabricated which exhibit selective reflection of circularly polarized light responsive to mechanical and chemical stimuli. The chiral photonic cellulose films are highly deformable with the strain-at-break up to 40.8%, which is the highest among reported chiral photonic cellulose films. Selective reflection of left-handed circularly polarized light responsive to bending and uniaxial tensioning across the entire visible spectrum is demonstrated, as well as reversible response to water vapor (10–100% relative humidity) from the visible to the near-infrared region with Δλ max = 492 nm. The stimuli response is realized by alterable helical organization based on supramolecular chemistry. The current work provides a general strategy for rational design of multistimuli-responsive selective reflection of circularly polarized light, and a soft material platform for scalable camouflaging and security materials.