Bioinspired Color-Changing Photonic Polymer Coatings Based on Three-Dimensional Blue Phase Liquid Crystal Networks

Photonic polymer coatings that can adaptively respond to the constant changes of surrounding environments are of profound significance for diverse applications such as optical sensors, information encryption, and adaptive camouflage. Here, we report the fabrication of humidity-driven color-changing photonic polymer coatings on the basis of judiciously designed hydrogen-bonded three-dimensional (3D) blue phase liquid crystal networks. Thanks to the inherent self-assembled 3D photonic nanostructures and tough covalent bonding between the polymers and substrate surfaces, the resulting polymer coatings are found to exhibit vivid structural colors, and humidity-driven reversible color changes across the visible spectrum of light can be achieved upon breaking the hydrogen bonds and subsequent conversion into a hygroscopic polymer coating. As the proof-of-concept applications, we demonstrate the information encryption, inkjet-printable photonic patterns, bioinspired adaptive camouflage, and colorimetric humidity sensor with such promising humidity-driven color-changing photonic polymer coatings. The results disclosed herein are expected to provide new insights into the development of stimuli-responsive advanced functional materials with tailorable 3D photonic nanostructures toward technological applications ranging from sensing, display, anticounterfeiting, and biomimetic camouflage.

Automated summary

This study presents the fabrication of humidity-driven color-changing photonic polymer coatings based on hydrogen-bonded three-dimensional blue phase liquid crystal networks, demonstrating their versatility in applications such as optical sensors, information encryption, adaptive camouflage, and humidity sensors. The research provides new insights into the development of stimuli-responsive advanced functional materials with customizable 3D photonic nanostructures for a wide range of technological applications.