Title: Humidity- and Photo-Induced Mechanical Actuation of Cross-Linked Liquid Crystal Polymers

Author: Yuyun Liu, Bo Xu, Shengtong Sun, Jia Wei, Limin Wu, Yanlei Yu*

Journal: Adv. Mater., 2017, 29(9), 1604792.

Abstract:

Azobenzene-containing cross-linked liquid crystal polymer films without hydrophilic groups exhibit dual-responsivity to humidity and UV light. The films realize not only a series of large and sophisticated contactless motions by utilizing moisture, including an inchworm walk, and tumbling locomotion, but also dual-mode actuation that can be applied in flexible electronics. 

论文链接：https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adma.201604792

PDF下载：Humidity- and Photo-Induced Mechanical Actuation of Cross-Linked Liquid Crystal Polymers.pdf

本研究利用湿度梯度和紫外光制备了具有双响应驱动的疏水交联液晶聚合物（CLCP）薄膜。通过含氧基团的水合作用和液晶基元（LCs）的排列，CLCP薄膜以一种预定义的方式进行快速可逆驱动，即在湿度梯度下发生垂直于LCs排列方向的形变。这种CLCP薄膜也展现出在湿度梯度下的复杂非接触运动，包括尺蠖行走、“树”模型的仰卧起坐，以及翻滚运动。此外，CLCP薄膜还沿LCs的排列方向表现出紫外响应弯曲，该方向与湿度诱导的弯曲方向正交。为此，我们设计了一种具有双模驱动的非接触式电子器件，该器件可根据湿度和紫外光输出不同的信号。这项工作不仅为疏水CLCP薄膜的湿度响应驱动机制提供了新的见解，而且拓宽了双响应CLCP薄膜在电子器件和传感器中的潜在应用。