Scaling effects on the optical properties of patterned nano-layered shape memory films

Nano-layered films of PVAc/PU systems were fabricated by forced assembly coextrusion method. The bulk shape memory properties of PVAc/PU systems were utilized to program nanoscale patterns such as diffraction grating which exhibit iridescence after patterning. A hot embossing process has been utilized to imprint diffraction grating patterns as nano-scale information onto the surface of the thin multilayer films. Three levels of hierarchy i.e. layer thickness, spacing and heights of patterns, governs the functionality of the patterned multilayer film. The time and temperature dependent viscoelastic shape memory behavior determines the opto-mechanical tunability of the film. Mechanical switching of the patterns also leads to optical switching of the films which corresponds to their efficiency of information retrieval. The recovery of patterns as well as the diffractive property depends on the layer thickness (l) of films and heights of patterns (h0). The results illustrate that the higher ratio of h0/l better is the recovery of the grating patterns and the corresponding diffractive properties. This scaling effect enables versatile applications in information security by tuning the layer structure of the multilayer shape memory films. [Display omitted] •Nano-layered shape memory films are produced by forced assembly co-extrusion.•Diffraction grating patterns are programmed on the surface of nano-layered films to switch the optical property.•The scaling of the individual layer thickness and pattern height significantly affects the optical property programming.