Dynamic Structural Colors in Helical Superstructures: from Supramolecules to Polymers

Bo Ji; Lang Qin; Yan-Lei Yu

doi:10.1007/s10118-025-3279-9

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Dynamic Structural Colors in Helical Superstructures: from Supramolecules to Polymers

REVIEW | Updated：2025-02-25

- Dynamic Structural Colors in Helical Superstructures: from Supramolecules to Polymers
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 43, Issue 3, Pages: 406-428(2025)
- Affiliations：
  
  Department of Materials Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Author bio：
  
  qinlang@fudan.edu.cn (L.Q.)
  ylyu@fudan.edu.cn (Y.L.Y.)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-025-3279-9
  CLC：
- Received：11 November 2024，
  
  Revised：30 November 2024，
  
  Accepted：2024-11-30，
  
  Published Online：18 February 2025，
  
  Published：01 March 2025
- Accepted：
Scan QR Code
Ji, B.; Qin, L.; Yu, Y. L. Dynamic structural colors in helical superstructures: from supramolecules to polymers. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2025, 43, 406–428

Bo Ji, Lang Qin, Yan-Lei Yu. Dynamic Structural Colors in Helical Superstructures: from Supramolecules to Polymers[J]. Chinese journal of polymer science, 2025, 43(3): 406-428.
Ji, B.; Qin, L.; Yu, Y. L. Dynamic structural colors in helical superstructures: from supramolecules to polymers. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2025, 43, 406–428 DOI： 10.1007/s10118-025-3279-9.

Bo Ji, Lang Qin, Yan-Lei Yu. Dynamic Structural Colors in Helical Superstructures: from Supramolecules to Polymers[J]. Chinese journal of polymer science, 2025, 43(3): 406-428. DOI： 10.1007/s10118-025-3279-9.

摘要

This paper highlights dynamic structural color tuning mechanisms in cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs)

elastomers (CLCEs)

respectively under external stimuli including light

mechanical force

and swelling. These outstanding dynamic color-tuning capabilities lay a solid foundation for applications in information security

adaptive camouflage

and intelligent optical sensing systems.

Abstract

Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) exhibit unique helical superstructures that selectively reflect circularly polarized light

enabling them to dynamically respond to environmental changes with tunable structural colors. This dynamic color-changing capability is crucial for applications that require adaptable optical properties

positioning CLCs as key materials in advanced photonic technologies. This review focuses on the mechanisms of dynamic color tuning in CLCs across various forms

including small molecules

cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs)

and cholesteric liquid crystal networks (CLCNs)

and emphasizes the distinct responsive coloration each structure provides. Key developments in photochromic mechanisms based on azobenzene

dithienylethene

and molecular motor switches

are discussed for their roles in enhancing the stability and tuning range of CLCs. We examine the color-changing behaviors of CLCEs under mechanical stimuli and CLCNs under swelling

highlighting the advantages of each form. Following this

applications of dynamic color-tuning CLCs in information encryption

adaptive camouflage

and smart sensing technologies are explored. The review concludes with an outlook on current challenges and future directions in CLC research

particularly in biomimetic systems and dynamic photonic devices

aiming to broaden their functional applications and impact.

关键词

Keywords

references

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Related Author

Xue-Quan Zhang

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Related Institution

Key Lab of Rubber-Plastics, Ministry of Education/Shandong Provincial Key Lab of Rubber-plastics, School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology

Shandong Provincial College Laboratory of Rubber Material and Engineering, School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology

Key Laboratory of Advanced Rubber Material, Ministry of Education, School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology

Current address: Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine

MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science & Engineering Zhejiang University

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