Journal article
Mechanochromic and Thermochromic Sensors Based on Graphene Infused Polymer Opals
Publication Details
Authors: | Jurewicz, I.; King, A.; Shanker, R.; Large, M.; Smith, R.; Maspero, R.; Ogilvie, S.; Scheerder, J.; Han, J.; Backes, C.; Razal, J.; Florescu, M.; Keddie, J.; Coleman, J.; Dalton, A. |
Publisher: | WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH |
Publication year: | 2020 |
Journal: | Advanced Functional Materials |
Pages range : | 2002473 |
Volume number: | 30 |
Issue number: | 31 |
Number of pages: | 12 |
ISSN: | 1616-301X |
DOI-Link der Erstveröffentlichung: |
Abstract
High quality opal-like photonic crystals containing graphene are fabricated using evaporation-driven self-assembly of soft polymer colloids. A miniscule amount of pristine graphene within a colloidal crystal lattice results in the formation of colloidal crystals with a strong angle-dependent structural color and a stop band that can be reversibly shifted across the visible spectrum. The crystals can be mechanically deformed or can reversibly change color as a function of their temperature, hence their sensitive mechanochromic and thermochromic response make them attractive candidates for a wide range of visual sensing applications. In particular, it is shown that the crystals are excellent candidates for visual strain sensors or integrated time-temperature indicators which act over large temperature windows. Given the versatility of these crystals, this method represents a simple, inexpensive, and scalable approach to produce multifunctional graphene infused synthetic opals and opens up exciting applications for novel solution-processable nanomaterial based photonics.
High quality opal-like photonic crystals containing graphene are fabricated using evaporation-driven self-assembly of soft polymer colloids. A miniscule amount of pristine graphene within a colloidal crystal lattice results in the formation of colloidal crystals with a strong angle-dependent structural color and a stop band that can be reversibly shifted across the visible spectrum. The crystals can be mechanically deformed or can reversibly change color as a function of their temperature, hence their sensitive mechanochromic and thermochromic response make them attractive candidates for a wide range of visual sensing applications. In particular, it is shown that the crystals are excellent candidates for visual strain sensors or integrated time-temperature indicators which act over large temperature windows. Given the versatility of these crystals, this method represents a simple, inexpensive, and scalable approach to produce multifunctional graphene infused synthetic opals and opens up exciting applications for novel solution-processable nanomaterial based photonics.
Keywords
colloidal crystals, mechanochromic sensors, pristine graphene, self-assembly, time-temperature indicators
