Microcapsules with stimulus-responsive liquid crystalline shells

Abstract

Changes in some of the molecules that make up a liquid crystal can cause an overall phase transition or orientation change. When stimulus-responsive molecules are introduced into a liquid crystal, they can induce changes in the phase and structure of the liquid crystal in response to stimuli. In this study, we prepared microcapsules (liquid crystal MCs) with such stimulus-responsive liquid crystals as shells. Liquid crystal MCs that burst in response to light and those that burst in response to pH change will be presented.