Broad-wave reflection mechanism of polymer-stabilised cholesteric phase liquid crystals doped with natural polymeric nanofibers

In this study, polymer-stabilised cholesterol-based liquid crystal (PSCLC) films with broadband reflection were prepared using monolayer gelatin nanofiber films as carriers loaded with photoinitiators. To obtain the maximum inhomogeneous distribution of the pitch, a series of studies were conducted on the concentration, temperature, time and UV intensity of the polymerised monomer. By screening different experimental conditions, the optimal conditions for broadening the reflectance band were obtained, and the reflectance band was widened from 240 to 440 nm. The morphology of the nanofibers was observed by SEM, and the effect of doping of the fibre film on the liquid crystals (LCs) weave was characterised by POM. The reflectance wavelength was measured mainly by a UV-vis spectrophotometer. The prepared cholesteric phase LC films with broadband reflection properties have potential applications in brightening films, intelligent windows, infrared shielding devices, laser protective coatings, etc.