A Sensing and Stretchable Polymer‐Dispersed Liquid Crystal Device Based on Spiderweb‐Inspired Silver Nanowires‐Micromesh Transparent Electrode

Abstract

Polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) devices are truly promising optical modulators for information display, smart window as well as intelligent photoelectronic applications due to their fast switching, large optical modulation as well as cost‐effectiveness. However, realizing highly soft PDLC devices with sensing function remains a grand challenge because of the intrinsic brittleness of traditional transparent conductive electrodes. Here, inspired by spiderweb configuration, a novel type of silver nanowires (AgNWs) micromesh‐based stretchable transparent conductive electrodes (STCEs) is developed to support the realization of soft PDLC device. Benefiting from the embedding design of AgNWs micromesh in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), the STCEs can maintain excellent electrical conductivity and transparency even in various extreme conditions such as bending, folding, twisting, stretching as well as multiple chemical corrosion. Further, STCEs with the embedded AgNWs micromesh endow the assembled PDLC device with excellent photoelectrical properties including rapid switching speed (<1 s), large optical modulation (69% at 600 nm), as well as robust mechanical stability (bending over 1000 cycles and stretching to 40%). Moreover, the device displays the pressure sensing function with high sensitivity in response to pressure stimulus. It is conceivable that AgNWs micromesh transparent electrodes will shape the next generation of related soft smart electronics.

Flexible transparent Ag NW micromesh electrode with enhanced electrical and thermal properties for multifunctional smart panel applications

“…50 Polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) devices, which were composed of liquid crystal (LC) and polymer matrix, had the characteristics of fast switching speed and strong light modulation ability that could reversibly change optical properties between the opaque state and transparent state by electrical stimulation, which was not enabled for only light regulation but also personal privacy protection. 6,51 As a proof of concept, the PDLC panel was sandwiched between two Ag NM/eCPI electrodes insulated with spacer strips (Fig. 6c).…”

“…Owing to the intrinsic poor mechanical flexibility and complex preparation process via magnetron sputtering, the market-dominant indium tin oxide (ITO) material cannot meet the potential applications of wearable electronics. 5,6 Thus, various conductive materials, such as carbon nanotubes, 7 graphene, 8 metal nanowire networks, 9,10 and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), 11 have been widely investigated as promising alternatives to ITO. Among them, Ag NW-based FTEs are considered a highly promising candidate for next-generation photoelectric devices considering their inherent excellent electro-optical properties and superior mechanical flexibility.…”

Preparation and Characterization of Bilayer Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystals Doped with Gd2O3 Nanoparticles and Rhodamine B Base Fluorescent Dye

“…The novel PDLC/GO nanocomposite designed by Cheng et al [ 21 ] responded to NIR-Vis-UV light and could be applied to soft actuators and optomechanical systems driven directly by sunlight. PDLCs accomplish fast switching speeds, large optical modulation, and robust mechanical stability using silver nanowire micromesh as electrodes, as demonstrated by Zhang et al [ 22 ]. Shivaraja et al [ 23 ] found that doping octadecylamine functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (ODA-SWCNTs) in PDLC could reduce threshold voltage and response time.…”

Preparation of Progressive Driving Bilayer Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystals Possessing a PDLC-PVA-PDLC Structure

“…It has been expanded to other areas beyond displays [ 4 , 5 ] and smart windows [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ], such as anti-peep [ 10 ], quantum dot films [ 11 , 12 ], and switchable glazing [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. In addition, PDLC has been applied in other fields to obtain new composite materials, such as less-energy-hungry buildings [ 16 , 17 ], sensing [ 18 , 19 ], and energy storage [ 20 ].…”