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

Liquid crystalline nanocolloids (LCNCs), which are nanostructured composites comprising nanoparticles (NPs) and a 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-ordered structures due to the limited NP loading in the LC host. Here, we demonstrate LCNCs in the 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 unclonable 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.