Title: Photo-induced Bending Behaviour of Side-on Linear Liquid Crystal Polymers with High Molecular Weight

Author: Huan Li, Quan Liu, Chongyu Zhu, Jia Wei, Yanlei Yu*

Journal: Liq. Cryst., 2020, 47(8), 1154-1161

Abstract:

Two photoresponsive side-on linear liquid crystal polymers (SLLCPs) with different spacer lengths have been synthesised through facile ring-opening metathesis polymerisation (ROMP). For the first time, high molecular weight SLLCPs with polynorbornene backbone and azobenzene side chains are obtained and processed into films by the melt shear-induced orientation method. These SLLCP films exhibit fast and large photo-induced bending behaviour, showing bend degree up to 72° in 3 s upon UV irradiation at ambient temperature. The shape of these films remains unchanged under visible light, demonstrating good shape stability against sunlight. Moreover, owing to their linear structure, the SLLCP films are recyclable through traditional melting or solution methods. Possessing these features, these SLLCP films show application prospects in the fields of lightcontrollable flexible actuators.

论文链接：https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02678292.2019.1680755

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在这项工作中，我们使用开环易位聚合（ROMP）方法合成了以聚降冰片烯为主链的新型光响应侧链线型液晶聚合物（SLLCPs）。通过熔体剪切诱导取向法，获得的SLLCP薄膜在紫外光照射下展现出快速的三维弯曲行为，同时在自然光下仍能保持弯曲。得益于未交联的线型结构，该SLLCP薄膜易于回收利用，有望推动光驱动软执行器的大规模应用。