A Highly Controlled Organic–Inorganic Encapsulation Nanocomposite with Versatile Features toward Wearable Device Applications.

Ultraviolet‐curable polyurethane acrylate (PUA) materials can be used in a number of important applications spanning from microfluidics, surface patterning to wearable technology. For the first time, the potential of encapsulation of modified zirconia (ZrO2) nanoparticles is reported in PUA‐based hybrid films aimed to facilitate profoundly enhanced hardness and refractive index. By successfully manipulating the interfacial reaction conditions between ZrO2 nanoparticles and PUA film, the PUA‐based nanocomposites exhibit an ultrahigh hardness of 9 and superior refractive index of 1.64 (589.3 nm). The outcomes obtained pave the way for seamless application of nanozirconia/PUA as a potent encapsulating material that provides structurally morphable, water resistant, and optically transparent light emitting diodes toward wearables devices in healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]