Exploring the Circular Polarization Capacity from Chiral Cellulose Nanocrystal Films for a Photo‐Controlled Chiral Helix of Supramolecular Polymers

Abstract

Circularly polarized light (CPL) is key to asymmetric photochemistry as it could impart the chiral organization information into chemical products. Here, we demonstrate the circular polarization capacity of chiral cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) films to trigger photo-alignment of achiral supramolecular polymers into helical structures. Right-handed transmitted (T-) CPL was generated from self-assembled CNC films, which induced amorphous azobenzene (Azo) supramolecular polymers into chiral structures. The chiral induction effect of T-CPL is enhanced on Azo polymers with longer spacers. The absorptive dissymmetry factor (g abs ) values of liquid-crystal supramolecular polymers can be amplified significantly (over 10 times) after T-CPL irradiation. Moreover, by integrating carbon dots into CNC films, CPL emission with a considerable luminescence dissymmetry factor (g lum ) up to À 0.66 was achieved, and it could be used for the photoalignment of Azo polymers with high chiroptical properties. This work provides new insight for the photo modulation of supramolecular polymers by CPL-active materials.

Biomolecule‐Based Circularly Polarized Luminescent Materials: Construction, Progress, and Applications

“…This lightcontrolled process provides a new way to understand asymmetric photochemistry. [152] The application of bio-based CPL materials in asymmetric catalysis is also worth exploring. Chen et al prepared bioinspired mesoporous chiral nematic graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) by the silica template method, and the chiral nanostructure was inherited from CNC nematic liquid crystals.…”

Biomolecule‐Based Circularly Polarized Luminescent Materials: Construction, Progress, and Applications

“…Chiral structures could be induced by applying T‐CPL on achiral amorphous azobenzene polymers. This light‐controlled process provides a new way to understand asymmetric photochemistry [152] …”

Solvent Modulation of Chiral Perovskite Films Enables High Circularly Polarized Luminescence Performance from Chiral Perovskite/Quantum Dot Composites

“…4 Hence, it is promising to develop other novel luminescent materials, which can produce CP light more efficiently. Given the fact that chiral materials can emit modulable ratios of left and right circularly polarized light directly, 5,6 At present, the research on CPL-active materials is just in its infancy but is rapidly developing, 7 and many potential materials with chiral structures are emerging. Among them, chiral semiconductor perovskites are attracting tremendous interest recently for producing strong CPL signals.…”