Deformable Viscoelastic Cholesteric Films with Nanoparticles

Abstract

Large spectral shifts of the selective reflection band and color changes are achieved in highly viscous mixture of cholesteric polymers and low molar mass liquid crystals filled with nanoparticles and subject to mechanical deformations. The color of the material changes instantaneously during deformation; the time for the color to be completely restored increased with the viscosity of the polymer mixture. The viscosity increases with increasing concentration of polymer or nanoparticles. These properties of the material were explored in building a highly sensitive mechanical sensor.