Enhanced stretchability towards a flexible and wearable reflective display coating using chalcogenide phase change materials

Reflective color switching coatings based on chalcogenide phase change material (PCM) is becoming one of the most promising display technologies in the future. However, it is still a challenge to kindly control the stress and enhance the stretchability for flexible display coatings. Here, we report crack-reduced reflective color coatings on a flexible substrate by using buckling structure to regulate the distribution of vacancies in PCM. It significantly suppresses the formation of cracks and improves the robustness of optical and electrical properties during stretching of the display device, which opens the doors of opportunity for phase change display applications in a wide range of flexible and wearable display fields. (c) 2022 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

Reflective color switching coatings based on chalcogenide phase change material (PCM) are a highly promising display technology in the future. However, controlling stress and enhancing stretchability in flexible display coatings remains a challenge. This study presents crack-reduced reflective color coatings on a flexible substrate using a buckling structure to regulate the distribution of vacancies in PCM, effectively suppressing crack formation and improving the robustness of optical and electrical properties during stretching. This opens doors for phase change display applications in various flexible and wearable display fields.