Title: Nature-InspiredLiquidCrystalPolymerActuators:From  AlignmentRegulationtoNano-composition

Author: Xiaoyu Zhang, Ziyue Yang, and Yanlei Yu*

Journal: Adv. Mater., 2025, e09892

Abstract:

Liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) that possess crosslinked networks and ordered alignment of mesogens are renowned for their large and reversible anisotropic deformation in response to external stimuli, which holds great potential in the burgeoning field of nature-inspired actuators and robots. Continuous efforts have been made in revealing the interplay between materials chemistry, processing, and alignment of LCPs, to broaden the actuation modes and enhance the actuation performance toward practical utilization. In this review, the advances in nature-inspired LCP actuators is focused with special attentions devoted in their mesogen alignment and the macroscopic geometry. Since the mesogen alignment is vital for the attainable actuation modes, the methods for alignment regulating are detailly combed, including surface-enforced alignment, field-assisted alignment, mechanical alignment, rheological alignment, and self-assembly. Subsequently, the composition of nanomaterials is futher surveyed in LCP actuators with a focus on enhancing the actuation performance. Finally, perspectives on the current challenges and potential development trends are discussed, which may shed light on future investigations.

论文链接：https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adma.201704941

PDF下载：Nature-Inspired Liquid Crystal Polymer Actuators From  Alignment Regulation to Nano-composition.pdf

液晶聚合物（LCPs）凭借其交联网络结构及液晶基元的有序排列，能够在外界刺激下产生显著且可逆的各向异性形变，在仿生执行器和机器人等新兴领域展现出巨大应用潜力。为拓展驱动模式、提升驱动性能以实现实际应用，研究者们致力于探索液晶聚合物的化学组成、加工工艺与取向排列之间的内在关联。本文聚焦于仿生液晶聚合物执行器的研究进展，重点探讨其液晶基元排列方式与宏观几何结构的设计策略。鉴于液晶基元排列模式直接决定驱动模式，本文系统梳理了表面锚泊取向、场辅助取向、机械拉伸取向、流变取向及自组装等取向调控方法，并进一步总结了纳米复合策略对驱动性能的增强机制。最后，针对当前挑战与未来发展趋势进行展望，以期为该领域的创新研究提供思路。