This work addresses the objective of developing stimuli-responsive textile technologies containing cholesteric liquid crystals embedded within polymer matrices that will respond and adapt to changing environments. Multiple formulations of cholesteryl oleyl carbonate, cholesteryl pelargonate and cholesteryl benzoate were produced and their thermochromic behavior was characterized using polarized light microscopy, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). Distinct shifts in peak reflectance of the liquid crystal formulations were observed between 400 nm and 750 nm, corresponding with temperature-induced color change. QCM-D was used to monitor molecular-scale changes in liquid crystal films as temperature increased in real-time. Incorporation of liquid crystals into polymer emulsions to produce polymer fibers though electrospinning was also explored and characterized. This knowledge will facilitate the future development of multifunctional temperature-responsive textiles.<br/>

QCM-D and spectroscopic study of cholesteric liquid crystals for temperature-responsive materials

256th National Meeting (2018)

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