A STIMULI-RESPONSIVE COMPOSITE MATERIAL, RESPECTIVE PRODUCTION PROCESS AND APPLICATION AS A SENSITIVE FILM

The present invention describes composite materials presenting an optical, electrical or optoelectronic response to stimuli, respective production method and application as sensitive films for the detection or quantification of a variety of analytes and analyte patterns, including but not limited to volatile organic compounds (VOC), vapors and gases, biomolecules, microorganisms, viruses, cells, and particles, as well as differences of temperature, pressure and electromagnetic fields. The composite material contains a mixture of (i) at least one liquid crystal; (ii) at least one ionic liquid or molecules with surfactant properties; (iii) polymer (s), preferably with natural or synthetic origin; (iv) appropriate solvent (s); optionally (v) a stabilizing element, such as sorbitol; and (vi) an electrolyte, which can be dispensed when the sensitive film is used to obtain an exclusively optical response or when the ionic liquid (s) or surfactant ( s ) are also conducting materials.