High-Efficiency Responsive Smart Windows Fabricated by Carbon Nanotubes Modified by Liquid Crystalline Polymers

• Main Authors: Yuan Deng, Shi-Qin Li, Qian Yang, Zhi-Wang Luo, He-Lou Xie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
• Series: Crystals
• Subjects: smart window; NIR response; liquid crystal; orientation layer; photothermal
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/11/4/440

Smart windows can dynamically and adaptively adjust the light transmittance in non-energy or low-energy ways to maintain a comfortable ambient temperature, which are conducive to efficient use of energy. This work proposes a liquid crystal (LC) smart window with highly efficient near-infrared (NIR) response using carbon nanotubes grafted by biphenyl LC polymer brush (CNT-PDB) as the orientation layer. The resultant CNT-PDB polymer brush can provide the vertical orientation of LC molecules to maintain the initial transparency. At the same time, the smart window shows a rapid response to NIR light, which can quickly adjust the light transmittance to prevent sunlight from entering the room. Different from common doping systems, this method avoids the problem of poor compatibility between the LC host and photothermal conversion materials, which is beneficial for improving the durability of the device.