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Synthesis of Programmable Main-chain Liquid-crystalline Elastomers Using a Two-stage Thiol-acrylate Reaction
Published on: January 19, 2016
Chiral phase-coexistence in compressed double-twist elastomers
Matthew P Leighton1, Laurent Kreplak2, Andrew D Rutenberg2
1Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada. andrew.rutenberg@dal.ca and Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada.
Abstract:
We adapt the theory of anisotropic rubber elasticity to model cross-linked double-twist liquid crystal cylinders such as exhibited in biological systems. In mechanical extension we recover strain-straightening, but with an exact expression in the small twist-angle limit. In compression, we observe coexistence between high and low twist phases. Coexistence begins at small compressive strains and is robustly observed for any anisotropic cross-links and for general double-twist functions - but disappears at large twist angles. Within the coexistence region, significant compression of double-twist cylinders is allowed at constant stress. Our results are qualitatively consistent with previous observations of swollen or compressed collagen fibrils, indicating that this phenomenon may be readily accessible experimentally.
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