High‐Speed and Scalable Wet Spinning of Graphene/Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Composite Filaments DOI Creative Commons
Antonio Proctor Martinez, Lucy K. Decker, Kunyu Wang

et al.

Advanced Functional Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 19, 2024

Abstract Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are promising candidates for the development of soft, environmentally‐responsive actuators and have recently been explored application in smart textiles soft robotics. To realize potential LCEs within these systems, fast, scalable, continuous production LCE filaments at controlled diameters is critical. Here, a wet‐spinning method presented scalable manufacturing graphene/LCE composite filaments. Through double diffusion mechanism, precursors rapidly crosslink into tangible without use UV light, instead taking advantage solvent exchange high catalyst influx. The polydomain can achieve speeds up to 4500 m h −1 . π−π interactions between graphene matrix, across broad range (137 1128 µm) be obtained with integrity, achieving actuation stresses strains 3.66 MPa 44%, respectively, 3 s. showcased as artificial muscles, where both thin thick filament sizes interest. will open new opportunities design robotics from fibers sizes.

Language: Английский

Design of functional and stable adhesion systems using reversible and movable crosslinked materials DOI Creative Commons
Yunpeng Qian, Sho Kosaba, Ryohei Ikura

et al.

Polymer Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 27, 2025

Abstract Stable, tough, and functional adhesion systems are urgently needed for a sustainable society. As resolution, supramolecular scientists have introduced reversible movable crosslinked materials into systems. Reversible crosslinks can repeatedly associate dissociate. Therefore, show self-healing stimuli-responsive properties. Moreover, topological in which the polymer chains penetrate cavities of cyclic molecules. The sliding with deformation enabled achievement showing high toughness self-relaxation. Adhesion improved cohesion, stability, functionality. This novel concept design is expected to increase lifetime adhesives ameliorate environmental problems.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Unusual Stretching-Induced Molecular Orientation Behavior of a Side-Chain Liquid Crystal Elastomer and Its Reorientation-Enabled Auxeticity DOI
Meng Liu, Yue Zhao

Macromolecules, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 8, 2025

A liquid crystal polymer (LCP) is synthesized by the functionalization of polybutadiene with side-group mesogens and methacrylate cross-linker used to investigate stretching-induced orientation chain backbone. Unusual behaviors two constituents coupled through spacer are revealed X-ray diffraction (XRD) polarized infrared spectroscopic measurements. When a polydomain LCP film stretched in nematic phase, backbone mesogenic side groups oriented along perpendicular stretching direction (SD), respectively; at large strain (500%), tilted plane. By contrast, when isotropic phase cooled under into peculiar state observed where both aligned SD. photo-cross-linking films strain, different macroscopic states locked resulting monodomain elastomer (LCE) films. Restretching such LCE induce their reorientation, an auxetic response observed, thickness increasing upon restretching over small range. Polarized optical microscopic (POM) observation UV–vis absorption measurement show unambiguously that behavior associated mechanically induced reorientation from in-plane homogeneous out-of-plane homeotropic alignment. The onset magnitude auxeticity as well range for its manifestation (increased respect initial before restretching) affected relative orientational film.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Smart liquid crystal elastomer fibers DOI

Jiazhe Ma,

Zhongqiang Yang

Matter, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8(2), P. 101950 - 101950

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Citations

1
Sunlight-Driven Photomobile Polymer Materials Containing Push–Pull Azobenzene Moieties DOI
Toru Ube,

Kihachiro Miyamoto,

Seiji Kurihara

et al.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 1, 2025

Polymer materials that show macroscopic deformation upon irradiation with light are feasible as soft actuators. However, previous photomobile systems typically required artificial sources for actuation. Herein, we develop polymer can be deformed by natural sunlight. Azobenzenes functionalized electron-donating and -withdrawing groups (push–pull azobenzenes) trans–cis photoisomerization sunlight cis–trans thermal back isomerization after the cessation of irradiation. Push–pull azobenzenes incorporated into crosslinked liquid-crystalline polymers, in which azobenzene moieties uniaxially aligned. Upon simulated sunlight, films exhibit bending toward incident revert to initial shapes discontinuation The time scales unbending consistent those behaviors moieties. This result indicates is induced through photochemical processes rather than photothermal processes. development sunlight-driven would lead creation autonomous ecofriendly photoresponsive without need optical elements, such sources, lenses, filters.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Reconfigurable azobenzene liquid crystal elastomers programming towards differentiated biomimetic actuations DOI Creative Commons
Li Han, Ting Liu, Jiaxin Yang

et al.

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 7, 2025

Abstract High value-added azobenzene liquid crystal elastomers (AZO-LCEs) derived from styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer (SBS) are herein developed. The glassy polystyrene (PS) domains in SBS that spontaneously separate LCEs can provide the self-supporting template during actuation and lock LC orientation, enabling reprogrammable, reshapable recyclable AZO-LCE actuators. decoupling effect between oriented continuous polybutadiene (PB) phase leads to arrangement of side-chain mesogens perpendicular main chain, simultaneous synergistic them enables actuators exhibit differentiated auxetic behaviours as temperature transition isotropic (TLC-I) varies. To achieve a large strain, bilayer “Janus” with orthogonal forces designed be driven synergistically by angular cutting angles, bionic applications (like peasecod morphology flower blooming) superior designability. Under prestored stresses inside aforementioned actuators, athletes perform vivid activities. By assembling right- left-handed sensitive TLC-I, they selective actions. Upon programming microscopic macroscopic behaviours, these easily implementable valuable insights for further development soft robots.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Liquid Crystal Polycaprolactone Copolymer Elastomer With Low Autonomous Driving Temperature DOI Open Access
Hongwei Zhou, Hongjin Li, Yan Yao

et al.

Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 15, 2025

ABSTRACT Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are liquid polymers with moderate crosslinking that exhibit elasticity in both their isotropic and states. These materials can be programmed through chemical design geometric configuration to achieve autonomous actuation at specific temperatures. Typically, the temperature of LCEs exceeds phase transition states, most reported requiring temperatures above 100°C. Such high pose challenges for use soft robotics due increased energy consumption limited operational flexibility. In this study, we introduce a small amount polycaprolactone (PCL) into main chain LCEs, effectively lowering while maintaining over 90% reversible shrinkage strain characteristic pure LCEs. By adjusting PCL content, number twists, helix density, successfully obtained an LCE‐PCL actuator improved performance ranging from 45°C 105°C. Moreover, by modulating degree torsion operating temperature, demonstrates ability perform complex motions, such as reversing parking. This work offers new insights application reduced enhanced self‐driving capabilities.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Dual physically crosslinked azobenzene liquid crystal elastomers programmable for multi-modal information encryption DOI

Jiaxin Yang,

Xueli Zhang,

Lu Yin

et al.

Chemical Engineering Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 160312 - 160312

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Programmable Liquid Crystal Elastomers Via Magnetic Field Assisted Oligomerization DOI Creative Commons

Rakine Mouhoubi,

Vincent Lapinte, Sébastien Blanquer

et al.

Advanced Functional Materials, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 13, 2025

Abstract Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are highly promising soft actuators due to their ability undergo significant, rapid, and programmable shape transformations. Achieving this actuation requires precise mesogen alignment before crosslinking. Magnetic field offers an advantage over other techniques as it enables volumetric alignment. However, magnetic has be performed in the state where mesogens exhibit anisotropic diamagnetic properties suitable for alignment, typically nematic phase. Therefore, is difficult obtain a stable liquid crystalline mixture crosslinking, while preventing recrystallization. To address challenge, method using assisted thio‐Michael polyaddition followed by photo‐crosslinking of oligomers (LCOs) presented. This process straightforward allows synthesis magnetically aligned high molecular weight LCOs, which maintain phase By applying different orientations during polyaddition, three distinct LCE networks synthesized, each demonstrating unique reversible deformation behaviors, including radial contraction expansion, thickness contraction, bending. The potential approach further demonstrated with LCE‐based four‐leaf clovers exhibiting selective large‐angle bending deformation, despite material. simple should help researchers various fields looking practical versatile designing robust actuators.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Near infra-red (NIR) driven side-chain liquid crystal elastomer-polyaniline composites DOI

R. Dharani,

S. Umadevi

Journal of Molecular Liquids, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 127272 - 127272

Published: March 1, 2025

Citations

0
Anisotropic Swelling Behavior of Liquid Crystal Elastomers in Isotropic Solvents DOI Creative Commons
Li Mei Zhang, Hong Li,

Wenjiang Zheng

et al.

Nanomaterials, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(6), P. 443 - 443

Published: March 14, 2025

The chemical response of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) offers substantial potential for applications in propulsion systems, micromechanical and active smart surfaces. However, the shape-changing behaviors LCEs to organic (isotropic) solvents remain scarcely explored, with most research focusing on (anisotropic) solvents. Herein, we prepared a series aligned varying crosslink densities using surface alignment technique combined an aza-Michael addition reaction, aiming investigate their swelling different isotropic We found that rates shape volume variation modes, elastic modulus LCEs, polarity solvent all significantly influence behavior. Specifically, when swell acetone, dimethylformamide (DMF), ethyl acetate, contraction occurs along direction. Conversely, extension direction is observed toluene, anisole, acrylic acid. Meanwhile, perpendicular noted nearly These changes can be attributed phase transitions LCEs. This not only provides valuable insights into mechanisms but also holds great promise development sensors gas sensing applications.

Language: Английский

Citations

0