Solid opalescent films originating from urethanes of cellulose

Opalescent films of ca. 100 cm2 (see Figure and this month's cover picture) based on a renewable resource, cellulose, have been prepared. The films are based on cholesteric, semi‐interpenetrating networks which result from the crosslinking of lyotropic liquid crystalline phases of cellulose carbanilates in commercial acrylates. Photocrosslinking of the films at different temperatures allowing patterning. magnified image