Light- and Humidity-Responsive Chiral Nematic Photonic Crystal Films Based on Cellulose Nanocrystals

Light- and humidity-responsive chiral nematic photonic crystal (PC) films containing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were fabricated. A photoactive polymer with hydrophilic groups, poly-(3,3′-benzophenone-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid dicarboxylate polyethylene glycol) ester, was coassembled with CNCs to form flexible iridescent films with a tunable chiral nematic order. In the coassembly process, the intermolecular hydrogen bonds of CNCs were weakened, which facilitated the fine regulation of the chiral PC nanostructure. The PC films displayed sensitive responses to both light and humidity. With increasing humidity from 30 to 100%, the chiral nematic helix pitch increased from 328 to 422 nm. The color of the PC films changed from blue to green, yellow, orange, and dark red with increasing relative humidity. Over 15 min of light irradiation, the absorption intensity of the films increased gradually. The light and humidity responses of the films were reversible. The films maintained their variable cholesteric liquid crystal texture and helical lamellar structure after light irradiation at different humidities. These PC films are expected to be useful in intelligent coatings and 3D printing.