Work

Thermochromic Circularly Polarized Luminescence via Chiral AIEgen‐Loaded Microcapsules for Adaptive Camouflage and Security

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Stimuli‐responsive circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials show great promise for dynamic camouflage, information encryption, and smart sensing. However, synthesis complexity and limited practical versatility hinder current research. This study demonstrates novel thermochromic CPL microcapsules that contain chiral aggregation‐induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) doped alkane phase change materials (PCMs). The synthesized AIEgens, characterized by a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 73.3% and obvious chiroptical properties, are successfully incorporated into PCMs to form thermochromic CPL materials. Microencapsulation of the AIEgen‐doped PCMs effectively addresses practical concerns of leakage and corrosion, yielding stable and thermally reliable microcapsules. These microcapsules exhibit versatility across diverse polymeric matrices and substrate surfaces, highlighting their adaptability. Leveraging the thermochromic CPL properties, 2 and 3D information encryption systems based on microcapsule‐embedded coatings are developed, ensuring high‐level data security. Furthermore, their application in automotive camouflage and personalized decoration effectively adapts car coatings to diverse environmental terrains, improving aesthetics and versatility. The easy scalable fabrication and multifunctionality of these thermochromic CPL microcapsule‐embedded coatings hold transformative potential for security and camouflage, offering innovative solutions for protecting sensitive information and enhancing vehicle aesthetics.

Source: Advanced Optical Materials

DOI: 10.1002/adom.202500156