Circularly polarized light from rhodamine 6G containing chiral nematic cellulose nanocrystal films

Abstract Using a simple preparation method of evaporation of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) suspension, self-supported iridescent films with selective circular Bragg reflection were produced. This effect was maintained after insertion of rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) dye in ethanolic solution. The films containing Rh6G exhibit circularly polarized light (CP-light) emission showing larger right-handed intensity. The resulting films demonstrated a distinctive helical arrangement, which imparted circular polarization to the emitted luminescence of the embedded Rh6G. The degree of CP-light was characterized revealing a clear dissymmetry factor ( g lum ) with a value of up to − 0.18. These findings highlight the potential of CNC-based materials in developing renewable, chiral photonic devices and advanced optoelectronic applications. Graphical abstract