POLICRYPS: a liquid crystal composed nano/microstructure with a wide range of optical and electro-optical applications

Caputo, Roberto; Luca, Antonio De; Sio, Luciano De; Pezzi, Luigia; Strangi, Giuseppe; Umeton, Cesare; Veltri, Alessandro; Asquini, Rita; d’Alessandro, Antonio; Donisi, Domenico; Beccherelli, Romeo; Sukhov, A. V.; Tabiryan, Nelson V.

doi:10.1088/1464-4258/11/2/024017

Cited by 58 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…However, they can also be used with LCs to prepare a number of different polymer liquid crystals networks. For example, PDLC based photonic devices use mixtures of LC with NOA, as some of these adhesives are known to induce homeotropic orientation in standard nematic liquid crystals [11].…”

Section: Aligning Lyotropic Liquid Crystals With Unconventional Organmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aligning lyotropic liquid crystals with unconventional organic layers

et al. 2017

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Abstract-Lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLC) are a kind ofLCs far less known and more difficult to control than conventional thermotropic nematics. Nevertheless, LCLCs are a preferred optionoften the only one-for applications where hydrophilic materials must be employed. Being water-soluble, LCLC can be used in numerous biology related devices, for example in target detection in lab-on-chip devices. However, their properties and procedures to align them are still less explored, with only a very limited number of options available, especially for homeotropic alignment. In this work, novel organic alignment layers and alignment properties have been explored for selected LCLCs. Non-conventional organic alignment layers were tested and new suitable procedures and materials for both homogeneous and homeotropic alignments have been found.Lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLC) are not as ubiquitous as their thermotropic nematic liquid crystal counterparts. However, their hydrophilic character make them perfect candidates for a number of specific applications, particularly those where biological materials are involved. In this context, LCLCs are being recognized as a simple and inexpensive method for detection of biologically active macromolecules or microorganisms [1][2][3] as well as a standard procedure for microparticle detection in hydrophilic media.LCLCs are well suited for these applications, providing aligning surfaces compatible to aqueous media are employed. Organic alignment layers, such as polyimides and polyamides are well-known layers for conventional thermotropic liquid crystals. However, they are not commonly employed as alignment layers for lyotropic liquid crystals. LCLC can be aligned onto organic surfaces such as certain polymers, [4,5] graphene, parylene films, (PMMA) films, fluoropolymer films [6] or other techniques, such as micropatterned substrates [7]. The alignment of LCLC on inorganic surfaces such as SiO 2 and SiOx has been demonstrated elsewhere [8] In this work, a study of novel alignment layers for water-based lyotropic liquid crystals has been carried out, testing new non-conventional layers, seldom utilized for thermotropic liquid crystal alignment. Some of the new tested compounds produced well aligned LCLC layers * E-mail: eva.oton@nikon.com and two new layers were found to align the LCLC in homeotropic configuration.Some of these layers are suitable to eventually work as a starting point for surface functionalization protocols in biological applications.The lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals chosen were Sunset Yellow FCF (disodium 6-hydroxy-5-[(4-sulphonatophenyl)azo]naphthalene-2-sulphonate) and Cromolyn (sodium cromoglicate, a well-known traditional treatment for asthma), both being watersoluble salts of organic acids. Despite Cromolyn being more studied, Sunset Yellow (SSY) was preferred, because SSY presents a wider range of concentration where the nematic phase appears: 27% < N < 35% w/w at RT, (compared to Cromolyn: 13% < N < 17% w/w at RT) [9], as well as a wider t...

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Section: Aligning Lyotropic Liquid Crystals With Unconventional Organmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aligning lyotropic liquid crystals with unconventional organic layers

et al. 2017

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“…Usually, the droplet size is of the order of the wavelength (microns) and results in strong light scattering. These losses can be avoided using two recent Italian technological approaches: the nano-PDLC developed at the University of Ancona (Criante et al 2006) or the Policryps technology by the University of Calabria (Caputo et al 2009). In the nano-PDLC gratings, liquid crystal droplets have nanometric size (much lower than light wavelength).…”

Section: Holographic Gratingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anti-counterfeiting and identification solutions using soft matter

Santo

Petriashvili²,

Gary³

et al. 2015

Rend. Fis. Acc. Lincei

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Advanced countries need simple, effective and affordable novel technical solutions for anti-counterfeiting, authentication, identification and traceability of goods for security, health, justice, logistics, and industry. Nanotechnologies, in particular soft materials and biomaterials, offer new possibilities of overt and covert layers for combating fraud and related corruption. Lasing, interferential reflection, light modulation, and photonic effects can be easily combined to give an amazing amount of possible solutions.

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“…In the following, we report the results of an experimental comparison between an HPDLC and a POLICRYPS grating, in order to put into evidence Figure 11.3 Sketch of a POLICRYPS grating in transmission configuration. 11 Reproduced by permission of IOP Publishing. All Rights Reserved.…”

Section: Tunable Optical Switchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This corresponds to an increase of the required switching voltages thus limiting the possibility of developing commercial, switchable holographic elements. The introduction of POLICRYPS technology 10,11 represented a win-win solution to HPDLCs issues: the system was still tunable for the presence of liquid crystals, but free of droplets. This technology permits confinement of a continuous and well-aligned nematic phase between polymeric walls, which results in low scattering losses and low switching voltages.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

POLICRYPS: A Multipurpose, Application-Oriented Platform

Caputo

Infusino

Veltri

et al. 2014

Photocured Materials

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The use of a nonstandard photocuring technique can produce noticeably improved results: POLICRYPS optimally verifies this condition. Originally being invented as a tunable diffractive structure, POLICRYPS has rapidly attracted much attention for its excellent morphology and related peculiar features. Low light scattering, low switching voltages and short switching times qualify POLICRYPS as a suitable platform for the realization of several applications.

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POLICRYPS: a liquid crystal composed nano/microstructure with a wide range of optical and electro-optical applications

Cited by 58 publications

References 20 publications

Aligning lyotropic liquid crystals with unconventional organic layers

Aligning lyotropic liquid crystals with unconventional organic layers

Anti-counterfeiting and identification solutions using soft matter

POLICRYPS: A Multipurpose, Application-Oriented Platform

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