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Preparation of Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Liquid Crystal Elastomer Nanocomposites
Published on: February 6, 2016
Rotatoelectricity in cholesteric side-chain liquid single crystal elastomers.
Andreas M Menzel1, Helmut R Brand
1Theoretische Physik III, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany. andreas.menzel@uni-bayreuth.de
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|November 30, 2006
Summary
Rotatoelectricity causes liquid crystal elastomers to rotate directors when exposed to electric fields. This phenomenon, observable in experiments, offers insights into material parameters.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Cholesteric side-chain liquid crystal elastomers exhibit unique electromechanical properties.
- Understanding rotatoelectricity is crucial for developing advanced functional materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the rotatoelectricity phenomenon in cholesteric side-chain liquid crystal elastomers.
- To theoretically demonstrate director rotation under static electric fields.
Main Methods:
- Linearized macroscopic continuum description.
- Utilizing previous theoretical frameworks.
- Modeling electric field interactions with liquid crystalline phases.
Main Results:
- A static electric field parallel to the helical axis induces director rotation.
- The material's behavior as a perfect electric insulator was assumed.
- The proposed experiment allows direct observation of rotatoelectricity.
Conclusions:
- Rotatoelectricity is a characteristic response of these elastomers to electric fields.
- The study provides a theoretical basis and experimental proposal for observing this effect.
- The experiment will enable quantification of material parameters related to rotatoelectricity.
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