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Phase-transition-induced dynamic surface wrinkle pattern on gradient photo-crosslinking liquid crystal elastomer
Tao Wen1,2, Tianjiao Ma3, Jie Qian2
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
Nature Communications
|December 31, 2024
Summary
Researchers created dynamic micro wrinkles on liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) surfaces. These tunable wrinkles can be erased and recovered, enabling multi-mode displays for applications in optics and anti-counterfeiting.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Soft Matter Physics
Background:
- Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are known for their unique deformation properties driven by phase transitions, making them suitable for actuators.
- Tunable microstructures on LCE surfaces offer potential for advanced functional materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a novel strategy for fabricating dynamic micro wrinkles on LCE surfaces.
- To explore the potential of these dynamic wrinkles for multi-mode display applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of micron-sized surface wrinkles on anthracene-containing LCE (AnLCE) films using ultraviolet (UV) exposure induced gradient cross-linking followed by stretching-releasing (UV-SR).
- Utilizing the liquid crystal (LC) phase transition to control the stability and reversibility of the surface wrinkles.
Main Results:
- Stable, micron-sized surface wrinkles were successfully fabricated on AnLCE films.
- The surface wrinkles are stabilized by the orientation of LC mesogens in the crosslinked layer and can be reversibly erased by heating (isotropic phase transition) and reformed by stretching-releasing.
- The wrinkled AnLCE exhibits dynamic and multi-mode display capabilities under natural, UV, and polarized light.
Conclusions:
- The developed strategy provides a method for modifying LCEs and controlling surface polarized images through wrinkling.
- The dynamic and multi-mode display properties of wrinkled AnLCE suggest potential applications in soft sensors, optics, smart windows, and anti-counterfeiting technologies.
