Title
Unwinding a spiral of cellulose nanocrystals for stimuli-responsive stretchable optics
Author
Osamu Kose, Andy Tran, Lev Lewis, Wadood Y. Hamad, Mark J. MacLachlan
Year
2019
Journal
Nature Communications
Abstract
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) derived from biomass spontaneously organize into a helical arrangement, termed a chiral nematic structure. This structure mimics the organization of chitin found in the exoskeletons of arthropods, where it contributes to their remarkable mechanical strength. Here, we demonstrate a photonic sensory mechanism based on the reversible unwinding of chiral nematic CNCs embedded in an elastomer, leading the materials to display stimuli-responsive stretchable optics. Vivid interference colors appear as the film is stretched and disappear when the elastomer returns to its original shape. This reversible optical effect is caused by a mechanically-induced transition of the CNCs between a chiral nematic and pseudo-nematic arrangement.
Full Article
Instrument
J-710
Keywords
Circular dichroism, Solid state, Nanostructures, Materials, Biochemistry