State Key Lab of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China.
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Guangdong, 523710, China.
Adv Sci (Weinh). 2022 Jan;9(2):e2103309. doi: 10.1002/advs.202103309. Epub 2021 Nov 21.
Light-responsive color-switching materials (LCMs) are long-lasting hot fields. However, non-ideal comprehensive performance (such as color contrast and retention time cannot be combined, unsatisfactory repeatability, and non-automated coloring mode) significantly hinder their development toward high-end products. Herein, the development of LCMs that exhibit long retention time, good color contrast, repeatability, and the property of automatic coloring is reported. The realization of this goal stems from the adoption of a bio-inspired multi-component collaborative step-by-step coloring strategy. Under this strategy, a conventional one-step photochromic process is divided into a "light+heat" controlled multi-step process for the fabrication of the desired LCMs. The obtained LCMs can effectively resist the long-troubled ambient-light interference and avoid its inherent yellow background, thereby achieving the longest retention time and good repeatability. Multiple colors are generated and ultra-fast imaging compatible with the laser-printing technology is also realized. The application potential of the materials in short-term reusable identity cards, absorptive readers, billboards, and shelf labels is demonstrated. The results reported herein can potentially help in developing and designing various high-performance, switchable materials that can be used for the production of high-end products.
光响应型变色材料（LCMs）是一个长期热门的研究领域。然而，不理想的综合性能（例如颜色对比和保留时间不能兼顾、重复性不佳以及非自动化的着色模式）极大地阻碍了它们向高端产品的发展。在此，我们报道了一种具有长保留时间、良好的颜色对比、重复性和自动着色性能的 LCM 的开发。这一目标的实现源于采用了一种受生物启发的多组分协同逐步着色策略。在该策略下，传统的一步光致变色过程被分为“光+热”控制的多步过程，以制备所需的 LCMs。所获得的 LCMs 可以有效地抵抗长期困扰的环境光干扰，并避免其固有的黄色背景，从而实现最长的保留时间和良好的重复性。此外，还实现了多种颜色的生成和与激光打印技术兼容的超快速成像。该材料在短期可重复使用的身份证、吸波读取器、广告牌和货架标签中的应用潜力也得到了证明。本文的研究结果可能有助于开发和设计各种高性能、可切换的材料，用于生产高端产品。
