Fluorescence enhancement and encapsulation of quantum dots via a novel crosslinked vinyl-ether liquid crystals/polymer composite film

Abstract Fluorescence efficiency and stability of quantum dots (QDs) film, which are both key for optoelectronic device, are relatively difficult to be improved simultaneously. Herein, the facile synthesis of vinyl-ether terminated liquid crystals was reported. Based on the host vinyl-ether liquid crystals, the polymer dispersed vinyl-ether liquid crystals (PDVLC), polymer dispersed crosslinked vinyl-ether liquid crystals (PDCVLC) and fluorine-containing polymer dispersed crosslinked vinyl-ether liquid crystals (F-PDCVLC) QDs films were fabricated in succession by dual-step polymerization. As a result, the PDVLC film can realize fluorescence enhancement and tuning, whereas the PDCVLC film not only maintain fluorescence enhancement of PDVLC film but also improve the water-resistant performance. More importantly, the formation of crosslinked film makes it convenient to fabricate QDs film. Subsequently, the F-PDCVLC film can further improve the water-resistant properties by introducing fluorine-containing monomers to enhance the hydrophobic performance. This free-standing (F-) PDCVLC film may offer a new avenue to realize the optimization of QDs film performance.