Doped nanofibers achieve tunable broadband in cholesteric phase liquid crystals

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, polymer-stabilised cholesterol-based liquid crystal (PSLC) broadband reflective films were prepared by doping UV absorbers and chiral compounds in bilayer poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofiber films. Broadband reflection was achieved by diffusion of the UV absorber and chiral compounds in the bilayer nanofibers into the liquid crystal layer, which resulted in the formation of an inhomogeneous pitch distribution in the liquid crystal layer. To attain an optimal reflective effect, various factors such as polymer monomer concentration, concentration of chiral compounds in the spun film, diffusion temperature, diffusion time, and intensity of polymerised light were investigated. The effects of these factors on the reflective bandwidth were explored. The method significantly broadened the reflective bandwidth of the cholesteric phase liquid crystal layer, establishing the foundation for studying the combination of nanofiber films with cholesteric phase liquid crystals to form an adjustable pitch.