Liquid Crystalline Nanocolloids for Storage of Electro-Optic Responsive Images.

Liquid crystalline nanocolloids (LCNCs), which are nanostructured composites comprising nanoparticles (NPs) and liquid crystal (LC) host, have attracted a great deal of attention because of their promising new fundamental physical behaviors and functional properties. Yet, it still remains a big challenge to pattern LCNCs into mesoscale due to the limited NP loading in the LC host. Here, we demonstrate LCNCs in nematic phase with a high NP loading (~42 wt%) by in-situ co-functionalizing the NP with alkyl and mesogenic ligands. The LCNCs can be assembled into ordered structures through holographic photopolymerization induced phase separation, giving rise to holographic polymer dispersed nematic nanocolloids (HPDNNC). Interestingly, high diffraction efficiency, low light scattering loss and unique electric-switchable capability are realized in the HPDNNC. In addition, high-quality switchable and uncloneable colored images are reconstructed, promising a host of advanced applications (e.g., anticounterfeiting). Our findings pave a way to advance the fundamental understanding of nanostructured LCs and their practical utility in enabling a new breed of inorganic-organic composite materials.