Liquid Crystals: Versatile Self-Organized Smart Soft Materials

Chemical Reviews, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 122(5), P. 4887 - 4926

Published: Dec. 23, 2021

Smart soft materials are envisioned to be the building blocks of next generation advanced devices and digitally augmented technologies. In this context, liquid crystals (LCs) owing their responsive adaptive attributes could serve as promising smart materials. LCs played a critical role in revolutionizing information display industry 20th century. However, turn 21st century, numerous beyond-display applications have been demonstrated, which elegantly exploit controllable stimuli-responsive characteristics. For these applications, new LC rationally designed developed. Review, we present recent developments light driven chiral LCs, i.e., cholesteric blue phases, based windows that control entrance heat from outdoor interior buildings built environments depending on weather conditions, elastomers for bioinspired, biological, actuator biosensors detection proteins, nucleic acids, viruses, porous membranes separation ions, molecules, microbes, living under macro- nanoscopic confinement. The Review concludes with summary perspectives challenges opportunities This is anticipated stimulate eclectic ideas toward implementation nature's delicate phase matter future generations beyond.

Language: Английский

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Phase Change Thermal Storage Materials for Interdisciplinary Applications

Chemical Reviews, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 123(11), P. 6953 - 7024

Published: March 22, 2023

Functional phase change materials (PCMs) capable of reversibly storing and releasing tremendous thermal energy during the isothermal process have recently received attention in interdisciplinary applications. The smart integration PCMs with functional supporting enables multiple cutting-edge applications, including optical, electrical, magnetic, acoustic, medical, mechanical, catalytic disciplines etc. Herein, we systematically discuss storage mechanism, transfer conversion summarize state-of-the-art advances applications PCMs. In particular, are still their infancy. Simultaneously, in-depth insights into correlations between microscopic structures thermophysical properties composite revealed. Finally, current challenges future prospects also highlighted according to up-to-date This review aims arouse broad research interest community provide constructive references for exploring next generation advanced multifunctional thereby facilitating major breakthroughs both fundamental researches commercial

Language: Английский

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Mechanochromic, Shape‐Programmable and Self‐Healable Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Elastomers Enabled by Dynamic Covalent Boronic Ester Bonds

Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 61(9)

Published: Dec. 28, 2021

Endowing a cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer (CLCE) exhibiting helicoidal nanostructure with dynamically tailorable functionalities is of paramount significance for its emerging applications in diverse fields such as adaptive optics and soft robotics. Here, mechanochromic, shape-programmable self-healable CLCE judiciously designed synthesized through integrating dynamic covalent boronic ester bonds into the main-chain polymer network. The circularly polarized reflection CLCEs can be reversibly tuned across entire visible spectrum by mechanical stretching. Thanks to introduction bonds, were found show robust reprogrammable self-healing capabilities. research disclosed herein provide new insights development 4D (color 3D shape) programmable photonic actuators towards bioinspired camouflage, optical systems, next-generation intelligent machines.

Language: Английский

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Bioinspired Phototropic MXene‐Reinforced Soft Tubular Actuators for Omnidirectional Light‐Tracking and Adaptive Photovoltaics

Advanced Functional Materials, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 32(26)

Published: March 3, 2022

Abstract Endowing artificial advanced materials and systems with biomimetic self‐regulatory intelligence is of paramount significance for the development somatosensory soft robotics adaptive optoelectronics. Herein, a bioinspired phototropic MXene‐reinforced tubular actuator reported that exhibits omnidirectional self‐orienting ability capable quickly sensing, continuously tracking, adaptively interacting incident light in all zenithal azimuthal angles 3D space. The novelty lies three aspects: 1) new polymerizable MXene nanomonomer shows high compatibility liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) matrices can be situ photopolymerized into polymer networks, thus enhancing mechanical photoactuation properties; 2) distinct hollow radially symmetrical structure facilitates fast photoresponsiveness performance through retarding heat conduction along radial direction; 3) MXene‐LCE simultaneously integrates actuation, built‐in feedback loop, leading to light‐tracking accuracy phototropism like stem plants nature. As proof‐of‐concept demonstration, an photovoltaic system solar energy harvesting maximization illustrated. This work provide insights intelligent toward optoelectronics, robotics, beyond.

Language: Английский

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Hierarchically structured passive radiative cooling ceramic with high solar reflectivity

Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 382(6671), P. 691 - 697

Published: Nov. 9, 2023

Passive radiative cooling using nanophotonic structures is limited by its high cost and poor compatibility with existing end uses, whereas polymeric photonic alternatives lack weather resistance effective solar reflection. We developed a cellular ceramic that can achieve highly efficient light scattering near-perfect reflectivity of 99.6%. These qualities, coupled thermal emissivity, allow the to provide continuous subambient in an outdoor setting power >130 watts per square meter at noon, demonstrating energy-saving potential on worldwide scale. The color, resistance, mechanical robustness, ability depress Leidenfrost effect are key features ensuring durable versatile nature ceramic, thereby facilitating commercialization various applications, particularly building construction.

Language: Английский

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Rational Design of Photocatalysts for Controlled Polymerization: Effect of Structures on Photocatalytic Activities

Chemical Reviews, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 122(6), P. 5476 - 5518

Published: Jan. 4, 2022

Over the past decade, use of photocatalysts (PCs) in controlled polymerization has brought new opportunities sophisticated macromolecular synthesis. However, selection PCs these systems been typically based on laborious trial-and-error strategies. To tackle this limitation, computer-guided rational design knowledge structure-property-performance relationships emerged. These strategies provide rapid and economic methodologies for tuning performance functionality a system, thus providing further polymer science. This review provides an overview employed photocontrolled summarizes their progression from early to current state-of-the-art. Background theories electronic transitions are also introduced establish perspective quantum chemistry. Typical examples each type structure-property then presented enlighten future polymerization.

Language: Английский

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Integration of Janus Wettability and Heat Conduction in Hierarchically Designed Textiles for All-Day Personal Radiative Cooling

Nano Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 22(2), P. 680 - 687

Published: Jan. 7, 2022

Personal cooling textiles are a promising energy-free pathway for confronting serious heat-related public health threats and improving industrial worker productivity. Current strategies mainly focus on passive daytime radiation, there is lack of research all-day methods which utilize synergistic radiative, conductive, evaporative heat dissipation. Herein, we demonstrate hierarchical polyurethane/silicon nitride fibrous membrane with Janus wettability fabricated via scalable electrospinning method followed by single-side hydrophilic plasma treatment. High angular-dependent solar reflectance (91%) human body infrared emittance (93%) allow temperature drop ∼21.9 °C under direct sunlight ∼2.8 at night compared traditional cotton. The innovative integration conduction in hierarchically designed ensures minimum sweat consumption 0.5 mL h–1, avoiding harmfully excessive perspiration. excellent performance this textile presents great advantages smart textile, energy-saving, personal applications.

Language: Английский

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Thermo‐ and Mechanochromic Camouflage and Self‐Healing in Biomimetic Soft Actuators Based on Liquid Crystal Elastomers

Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 61(8)

Published: Dec. 14, 2021

In nature, many mysterious creatures capable of deformation camouflage, color and self-healing have inspired scientists to develop various biomimetic soft robots. However, the systematic integration all above functionalities into a single actuator system still remains challenge. Here we chemically introduce multi-stimuli-responsive tetraarylsuccinonitrile (TASN) chromophore liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) network through facile thiol-ene photoaddition method. The obtained TASN-LCE actuators not only exhibit reversible shape-morphing color-changing behavior in response heat mechanical compression, but also show excellent self-healing, reprogramming recycling characteristics. We hope that such endowed with dynamic distortion, thermo- mechano-chromic would pave way for further development multifunctional robotic devices.

Language: Английский

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Controllable Surface-Grafted MXene Inks for Electromagnetic Wave Modulation and Infrared Anti-Counterfeiting Applications

ACS Nano, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 16(10), P. 16976 - 16986

Published: Oct. 5, 2022

Two-dimensional transition metal carbide/nitride (MXene) conductive inks are promising for scalable production of printable electronics, electromagnetic devices, and multifunctional coatings. However, the susceptible oxidation poor rheological property seriously impede printability MXene exploration functional devices. Here, we proposed a controllable surface grafting strategy flakes (p-MXene) with prepolymerized polydopamine macromolecules to protect against water oxygen, enrich chemistry, significantly optimize properties inks. The obtained p-MXene can adapt screen-printing other high-viscosity processing techniques, facilitating development patterned films Interestingly, printed polarizer freely switch quantitatively control microwave transmission, giving an inspiring means smart modulation beyond commonly reported shielding function. Moreover, introduction nanoshell enables infrared emissivity coating be adjusted large extent, which produce anti-counterfeiting patterns in thermal imager. Therefore, antioxidant will greatly extend potential applications next-generation electronics

Language: Английский

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Highly Conductive MXene/PEDOT:PSS‐Integrated Poly(N‐Isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogels for Bioinspired Somatosensory Soft Actuators

Advanced Functional Materials, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(24)

Published: March 10, 2023

Abstract Sophisticated sensing and actuation capabilities of many living organisms in nature have inspired scientists to develop biomimetic somatosensory soft robots. Herein, the design fabrication homogeneous highly conductive hydrogels for bioinspired actuators are reported. The synthesized by situ copolymerization surface‐functionalized MXene/Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) ink with thermoresponsive poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels. resulting found exhibit high conductivity (11.76 S m −1 ), strain sensitivity (GF 9.93), broad working range (≈560% strain), stability after over 300 loading–unloading cycles at 100% strain. Importantly, shape‐programmable hydrogel rapid response, light‐driven remote control, self‐sensing capability developed chemically integrating a structurally colored polymer. As proof‐of‐concept illustration, applied devising programmable shape‐morphing an artificial octopus, fish, gripper that can simultaneously monitor their own motions via real‐time resistance variation. This work is expected offer new insights into advanced materials capabilities, pave avenue development soft‐matter‐based self‐regulatory intelligence built‐in feedback control paramount significance intelligent robotics automated machines.

Language: Английский

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