Transparent UV-blocking photonic film based on reflection of cholesteric liquid crystals

An optically transparent bilayer cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) solid film capable of almost completely rejecting ultraviolet (UV)-A light was fabricated with a bilayer CLC film comprising double handed CLC layers using UV-curing reactive mesogen mixtures (RMMs) doped with LC756 and S811. The concentrations of S811 and LC756 in RMMs and the film thickness were optimized to achieve more than 98% UV blocking (in the UV-A region) and more than 95% transparency (in the visible region). The proposed approach provides a simple and reliable fabrication process that can be employed in practical applications such as smart windows, eyeglasses, and lenses. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

An optically transparent bilayer cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) solid film was successfully fabricated, capable of almost completely rejecting UV-A light with over 98% UV blocking and over 95% transparency in the visible region. The proposed approach provides a simple and reliable fabrication process suitable for practical applications such as smart windows, eyeglasses, and lenses.