Photonic Behavior of Thermochromic Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Droplets Determined by Alkyl Chain Length-Controlled Nematic Mesogens
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Confined cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) within emulsions exhibit exceptional optical properties due to their unique 3D-assembled helical structures, making them highly desirable for applications. We investigate the influence of the molecular structure of nematic mesogens on the morphological evolution of CLC droplets and their thermochromic behaviors. A series of cyanobiphenyl (CB) with different alkyl chain lengths from 4 to 8 are employed as nematic mesogens and combined with a chiral dopant, cholesteryl oleyl carbonate. The resulting droplets exhibit a thermochromic property, whereby the structural color of the cholesteric core shifts towards blue with increasing temperature. The range and sensitivity of colorimetric temperature can be controlled by adjusting the alkyl chain length of the CB molecules. Finally, a binary mixed CB system is demonstrated, affording to report customized structural colors with desired temperature ranges, thereby suggesting the development of programmable thermochromic sensors.