Fully (Re)configurable Interactive Material through a Switchable Photothermal Charge Transfer Complex Gated by a...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Optoelectronics

Background:

• Charge transfer complexes (CTCs) exhibit unique optical properties due to donor-acceptor molecule interactions.
• Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are stimuli-responsive polymers with tunable mechanical and optical characteristics.
• Hydrogen bonding plays a crucial role in directing molecular self-assembly and material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To integrate a CTC into a hydrogen-bonded LCE for controlled optical and actuation properties.
• To investigate the influence of hydrogen bonding on CTC self-assembly and NIR absorption within the LCE matrix.
• To demonstrate localized photothermal actuation of the LCE by selectively disrupting CTCs.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a hydrogen-bonded LCE incorporating self-assembled donor and acceptor molecules to form CTCs.
• Utilizing hydrogen bond disruption to control CTC disassembly and reassembly.
• Employing near-infrared (NIR) light for selective photothermal heating and actuation of specific LCE regions.

Main Results:

• The CTC-embedded LCE exhibits tunable NIR absorption, acting as an NIR dye when hydrogen bonding is present.
• Selective disassembly of CTCs via hydrogen bond disruption allows for localized NIR heating and actuation.
• The material demonstrates reversibility, with the non-CTC state persisting for weeks and recoverable via heat treatment.

Conclusions:

• The developed CTC-LCE is a reformable and reprocessable material with controllable optical and actuation functionalities.
• This system offers unprecedented versatility for applications requiring tunable NIR absorption and localized photothermal response.
• The ability to precisely control CTC self-assembly and disassembly within the LCE opens new avenues for interactive smart materials.