Abstract
Optically directed shape adaptive responses have been sought after for many decades in photoresponsive polymeric materials. A number of recent examinations have elucidated elucidated the unique opportunities of photomechanical responses realized in azobenzene-functionalized liquid crystalline polymer networks (both elastomers and glasses). This work summarizes and contrasts the photomechanical response of glassy polydomain, monodomain, and twisted nematic azo-LCN materials to blue-green irradiation. Building from this summary, the combinatorial photomechanical response observed upon irradiation of composite cantilevers is examined. Large scale shape adaptations are realized, with novel responses that may be of potential use in future employment of these materials in actuation.
Highlights
Composites blend the distinctive properties of component materials to tailor performance towards a practical goal
Building from this summary, we demonstrate unique photomechanical responses observed when these materials are blended into composite structures
The comparably amplified responses observed in elastomeric liquid crystalline polymer networks are enabled by the association of liquid crystalline order and the configurational state of azobenzene, as the rod-like trans isomer is order-favorable while the bent cis isomer is order-disrupting
Summary
Composites blend the distinctive properties of component materials to tailor performance towards a practical goal. The focus of this work is the development of distinctive photomechanical responses in composite structures fabricated from photoresponsive polymeric materials. Work emanating from Finkelmann et al considerably expanded the capability of generating larger magnitude strain cycles (~20%) by fabricating azobenzene-functionalized liquid crystal elastomers (azo-LCE) [6]. A consortium of international researchers recently presented an elegant experimental and theoretical study the observation of thermally-directed coiling in twisted nematic elastomeric LCN materials [23]. Relevant to the work presented here; Ikeda, Broer, and Yu have recently published examples of the functionality enabled by embedding azo-LCN materials within other polymeric materials. We begin by summarizing the unique photomechanical responses that we have observed in glassy azo-LCN materials of a variety of domain structures and orientations. From this summary, we demonstrate unique photomechanical responses observed when these materials are blended into composite structures. While not tailored to any use or application, the fabrication of composite structures presented here is another approach to realize complex shape adaptations necessary for advanced applications
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