Thermochromism is the property of substances to change color due to a change in temperature. A mood ring is an example of this property used in a consumer product, although thermochromism also has more practical uses, such as for baby bottles that change to a different color when cool enough to drink, or kettles that change color when water is at or near boiling point. Thermochromism is one of several types of chromism.
Organic materials
Thermochromatic liquid crystals
The two common approaches are based on liquid crystals and leuco dyes. Liquid crystals are used in precision applications, as their responses can be engineered to accurate temperatures, but their color range is limited by their principle of operation. Leuco dyes allow a wider range of colors to be used, but their response temperatures are more difficult to set with accuracy. Some liquid crystals are capable of displaying different colors at different temperatures. This change is dependent on selective reflection of certain wavelengths by the crystallic structure of the material, as it changes between the low-temperature crystallic phase, through anisotropic chiral or twisted nematic phase, to the high-temperature isotropic liquid phase. Only the nematic mesophase has thermochromic properties; this restricts the effective temperature range of the material. The twisted nematic phase has the molecules oriented in layers with regularly changing orientation, which gives them periodic spacing. The light passing through the crystal undergoes Bragg diffraction on these layers, and the wavelength with the greatest constructive interference is reflected back, which is perceived as a spectral color. A change in the crystal temperature can result in a change of spacing between the layers and therefore in the reflected wavelength. The color of the thermochromic liquid crystal can therefore continuously range from non-reflective (black) through the spectral colors to black again, depending on the temperature. Typically, the high temperature state will reflect blue-violet, while the low-temperature state will reflect red-orange. Since blue is a shorter wavelength than red, this indicates that the distance of layer spacing is reduced by heating through the liquid-crystal state. Some such materials are cholesteryl nonanoate or cyanobiphenyls. Mixtures with 3–5 °C (37–41 °F) span of temperatures and ranges from about 17–23 °C (63–73 °F) to about 37–40 °C (99–104 °F) can be composed from varying proportions of cholesteryl oleyl carbonate, cholesteryl nonanoate, and cholesteryl benzoate. For example, the mass ratio of 65:25:10 yields range of 17–23 °C (63–73 °F), and 30:60:10 yields range of 37–40 °C (99–104 °F). Liquid crystals used in dyes and inks often come microencapsulated, in the form of suspensions. Liquid crystals are used in applications where the color change has to be accurately defined. They find applications in thermometers for room, refrigerator, aquarium, and medical use, and in indicators of level of propane in tanks. A popular application for thermochromic liquid crystals are mood rings. Liquid crystals are difficult to work with and require specialized printing equipment. The material itself is also typically more expensive than alternative technologies. High temperatures, ultraviolet radiation, some chemicals and/or solvents have a negative impact on their lifespan.
Leuco dyes
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