Issue 44, 2017

Humidity-responsive actuators from integrating liquid crystal networks in an orienting scaffold

Abstract

Developing shape-shifting materials requires combining the flexibility needed by shape-shifting properties, with the toughness that is demanded to maintain their mechanical performance. Typically, in liquid crystal networks, the amplitude of the shape transformation can be hindered by large cross-linking densities. Here, we argue that a promising strategy to address this limitation consists in integrating liquid crystal networks into an anisotropic and porous material that acts as an orienting scaffold. This strategy shows similarities with the principles of stimuli-responsive deformation in plants, where inflexible elements with specific orientations are integrated into a stimuli-responsive matrix. By aligning liquid crystals in a porous polypropylene orienting scaffold, we demonstrate liquid crystal networks that respond to humidity with a shape change, yet they display high elastic modulus and toughness. Various chiral shapes can be generated in single and double layers of these films, and the complexity of their actuation modes is enhanced, including twisting, curling or winding. We anticipate that these hybrid composites and the strategy they embody can find application to other stimuli-responsive anisotropic soft materials.

Graphical abstract: Humidity-responsive actuators from integrating liquid crystal networks in an orienting scaffold

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
28 ก.ค. 2560
Accepted
11 ต.ค. 2560
First published
26 ต.ค. 2560

Soft Matter, 2017,13, 8070-8075

Humidity-responsive actuators from integrating liquid crystal networks in an orienting scaffold

A. Ryabchun, F. Lancia, A. Nguindjel and N. Katsonis, Soft Matter, 2017, 13, 8070 DOI: 10.1039/C7SM01505D

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