Hierarchical Network-Augmented Hydroglasses for Broadband Light Management

Lei, Zhouyue; Wu, Baohu; Wu, Peiyi

doi:10.34133/2021/4515164

Journal Article

FZJ-2021-03879

Hierarchical Network-Augmented Hydroglasses for Broadband Light Management

Lei, Z. ; Wu, B.FZJ* ; Wu, P. (Corresponding author)

2021
China Association for Science and Technology [Beijing]

Research 2021, Article ID 4515164 (2021) [10.34133/2021/4515164]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/29022 doi:10.34133/2021/4515164

Abstract: Light management is essential for military stealth, optical information communication, and energy-efficient buildings. However, current light management materials face challenges of limited optical modulation range and poor mechanical properties. Herein, we report a locally confined polymerization (LCP) approach to develop hierarchical network-augmented hydroglasses (HNAH) based on poly(methacrylic acid) for broadband light management as well as mechanical enhancement. The dynamic geometry of the networks ranging from nano- to micro-scale enables to manage the light wavelength over three orders of magnitude, from the ultraviolet (UV) to infrared (IR) band, and reversibly switches transmittance in the visible region. A smart hydroglass window is developed with elasticity, outstanding robustness, self-healing, notch resistance, biosafety by blocking UV radiation, and high solar energy shielding efficacy with a temperature drop of 13°C. Compared to current inorganic glasses and Plexiglas, the hydroglass not only is a promising and versatile candidate but also provides novel insights into the molecular and structural design of broadband light management and optimized mechanical properties.

Keyword(s): Polymers, Soft Nano Particles and Proteins (1st) ; Materials Science (2nd) ; Soft Condensed Matter (2nd)

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