Design, Regulation, and Applications of Soft Actuators Based on Liquid-Crystalline Polymers and Their Composites

Hu, Jing; Yu, Mingming; Wang, Mingqing; Choy, Kwang‐Leong; Yu, Haifeng

doi:10.1021/acsami.1c25103

Cited by 30 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…Azobenzene-based optically functionalized materials have been playing an important role in many research areas, such as photodriven actuators, , STFs, and photopatterning . When the azo compound can undergo a photoinduced solid–liquid transition, its related functional performance definitely has made a leap .…”

Section: Properties and Applications Of Optmsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optically Controlled Solid-to-Liquid Phase Transition Materials Based on Azo Compounds

Song

et al. 2023

Chem. Mater.

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Phase transition materials can be utilized in a variety of functionalization scenarios, benefiting from the photoinduced changes in their physicochemical properties. Among them, small molecular crystals or liquid-crystalline polymers containing azobenzene moieties that show phototunable melting points or glass transition temperatures, respectively, have proven to be significant in optically controlled functional materials. In recent years, they have been successfully used in reversible mechanical actuation, adhesion, energy storage, self-healing, athermal nanoimprinting, and other applications, which has attracted the attention of more scientists and engineers. In this review, azobenzene-containing materials with photoinduced phase transition capabilities are systematically discussed in terms of molecular design strategies, phase change mechanisms, performance control, methods of preparation of materials, and potential applications. Existing problems and future challenges are also discussed. We hope to provide some inspiration for the development of photocontrolled phase transition materials.

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Section: Properties and Applications Of Optmsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optically Controlled Solid-to-Liquid Phase Transition Materials Based on Azo Compounds

Song

et al. 2023

Chem. Mater.

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“…To this end, we utilize liquid crystal polymer networks (LCNs) as the liquid reservoir. LCNs are a typical class of materials that have anisotropic characteristics which have been extensively employed in optical devices, [15][16][17] soft actuators, [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] and dynamic surfaces. [5,[34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] We take advantage of the reduction of molecular order, upon the actuation of the LCNs, [42,43] to eject the initially stored primary liquid to the coating surface.…”

Section: Doi: 101002/adma202211143mentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspiring Soft Robotics Skin Constituted by Dynamic Polarity‐Switching Porous Liquid Crystal Membrane

2023

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Secretion of functional fluids is essential for affecting surface properties in ecosystems. The existing polymer membranes that mimic human skin functions are limited to secreting, either apolar or polar, liquid. However, the development of membranes that grant exchange liquid with different polarities remains a grand challenge. This process is prohibited by the mismatch of the polarity between the carrier polymer and the loaded liquid. To conquer this limitation, an innovative strategy is reported to dynamically switch the polarity of the porous membrane, thereby empowering the exchange of apolar liquid with polar liquid and vice versa. This approach incorporates a benzoic acid derivative into the original apolar polymer network. The benzoic acid dimerizes and forms hydrogen bonds, which supports the molecular alignment, but can be broken into the ionic state when subjected to alkaline treatment, changing the polarity of themembrane. Consequently, the apolar liquid can be replaced with a more polar one. This polar liquid is ejected upon safe‐dose UV illumination from the membrane. Reabsorption occurs on demand by illumination of visible light or when left in contact with the membrane, spontaneously in the dark. Based on this, the consumed membrane is replenished with the same or different exchanging liquid.

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“…Therefore, in determining the appropriate film thickness, it is important to consider both the performance and application requirements of CLCPs and find a balance between them. [15] In this review, we are paying attention to the latest progress of photothermal-responsive CLCPs. First, photothermal-responsive CLCPs are classified according to different light wavelengths from UV light to visible light and then to infrared (IR) light (Table 1), and the newly developed photothermal-responsive CLCP systems are discussed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photothermal‐Responsive Crosslinked Liquid Crystal Polymers

Wang

Huang

Yang

2023

Macro Materials & Eng

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Crosslinked liquid crystal polymers (CLCPs) are a promising type of smart polymer material with excellent two‐way shape memory behavior under the stimulation of various external conditions. Among the various external stimuli, light with the advantages of instantaneity, high accuracy, remote controllability, pollution‐free, etc., has been widely used in the control of CLCPs. Traditional photoresponsive CLCP systems based on photoisomerization are limited by the penetration depth of ultraviolet light, the number of useful photochemical reactions, and long‐term stability. Recently, a strategy for designing photoresponsive CLCPs based on the photothermal effect has attracted scientific attention. Photothermal materials in the CLCP matrix can convert light into heat through plasma resonance or energy transition under the light irradiation of a certain wavelength, and locally heat the CLCP matrix to beyond the liquid crystal‐to‐isotropic phase transition temperature, thus achieving reversible macroscopic deformation. Combining photothermal materials and CLCPs can decrease the dependence on specific photosensitive groups such as azobenzene mesogens and endow photoresponsive CLCPs with design flexibility. Herein, the photothermal‐responsive CLCPs under the stimulations of different light wavelengths and their application fields are reviewed. In addition, the current challenges in the field of photothermal‐responsive CLCPs are summarized, and a brief outlook on future development is proposed.

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Design, Regulation, and Applications of Soft Actuators Based on Liquid-Crystalline Polymers and Their Composites

Cited by 30 publications

References 69 publications

Optically Controlled Solid-to-Liquid Phase Transition Materials Based on Azo Compounds

Optically Controlled Solid-to-Liquid Phase Transition Materials Based on Azo Compounds

Perspiring Soft Robotics Skin Constituted by Dynamic Polarity‐Switching Porous Liquid Crystal Membrane

Photothermal‐Responsive Crosslinked Liquid Crystal Polymers

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