Dynamic Chiro-Optics of Bio-Inorganic Nanomaterials via Seamless Co-Assembly of Semiconducting Nanorods and Polysaccharide Nanocrystals

This study demonstrates a novel chiral organization of multi-materials from semiconducting quantum nanorods (QNRs) co-assembled into chiral nematic polysaccharide (cellulose) nanocrystals for active manipulation of chiro-optical light emission properties in elastomeric materials. Highly emissive anisotropic QNRs with dimensions and surface chemistry commensurate with those of biological nanocrystals facilitate seamless co-assembly into an integrated chiral nematic organization due to preferable enthalpic interactions and pairing processes. The resulting freestanding highly emissive bio-inorganic elastomeric materials exhibit vivid iridescence and emission with a strong optical activity that manifests itself in active and tunable chiral photoluminescence with unusually large asymmetry. Intriguingly, large-strain reversible mechanical deformation of physically crosslinked elastomers endows fully reversible alternation of helical structural configuration and corresponding linearly and circularly polarized photoluminescence. This study provides a platform to render dynamic optical functionality with reconfigurable light propagation/emission in bio-inorganic elastomers for futuristic applications in chiral lasing, biosensing, optical gauges, and holographic display.