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Programmable Shape Change in Semicrystalline Liquid Crystal Elastomers
Mahjabeen Javed1, Tyler Corazao2, Mohand O Saed3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|July 22, 2022
Summary
Engineered semicrystalline liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) offer enhanced toughness and actuation strain. This innovation overcomes limitations in soft robotics and actuators, enabling greater work output.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Soft Matter Physics
Background:
- Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are stimuli-responsive polymers known for shape-changing capabilities.
- Their applications are often limited by modest elastic modulus and blocking stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a semicrystalline LCE with improved mechanical properties and high actuation strain.
- To investigate the role of semicrystallinity in enhancing LCE performance.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of semicrystallinity into a lightly cross-linked liquid crystalline network.
- Utilizing directed self-assembly to program director profiles through the thickness of the LCE.
- Characterizing phase transition temperatures and mechanical properties.
Main Results:
- Semicrystalline LCEs exhibit enhanced toughness and high actuation strain.
- A planarly aligned sample showed a dimension decrease to 0.42 at 250 °C.
- Storage modulus reached 390 MPa, and contractile stress was 2.7 MPa.
Conclusions:
- Semicrystalline LCEs present a promising material for advanced applications.
- The combination of robust mechanical properties and high actuation strain is beneficial for soft robotics and actuators.
- This material design overcomes previous limitations in LCE performance.
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