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Responsive Photonic Liquid Marbles
Author(s) -
Anyfantakis Manos,
Jampani Venkata S. R.,
Kizhakidathazhath Rijeesh,
Binks Bernard P.,
Lagerwall Jan P. F.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.202008210
Subject(s) - liquid crystal , materials science , liquid crystalline , photonics , polymer , hydroxypropyl cellulose , structural coloration , nanotechnology , cholesteric liquid crystal , reflection (computer programming) , cellulose , liquid phase , photonic crystal , optoelectronics , chemical engineering , composite material , computer science , engineering , programming language , physics , thermodynamics
Liquid marbles have potential to serve as mini‐reactors for fabricating new materials, but this has been exploited little and mostly for conventional chemical reactions. Here, we uncover the unparalleled capability of liquid marbles to act as platforms for controlling the self‐assembly of a bio‐derived polymer, hydroxypropyl cellulose, into a cholesteric liquid crystalline phase showing structural coloration by Bragg reflection. By adjusting the cholesteric pitch via quantitative water extraction, we achieve liquid marbles that we can tailor for structural color anywhere in the visible range. Liquid marbles respond with color change that can be detected by eye, to changes in temperature, exposure to toxic chemicals and mechanical deformation. Our concept demonstrates the advantages of using liquid marbles as a miniature platform for controlling the liquid crystal self‐assembly of bio‐derived polymers, and their exploitation to fabricate sustainable, responsive soft photonic objects.