Regulating Actuations and Shapes of Liquid Crystal Elastomers through Combining Dynamic Covalent Bonds with Cooling-Rate-Mediated Control

Abstract

Realizing multiple locked shapes in pre-oriented liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) is highly desired for diversifying deformations and enhancing multi-functionality. However, conventional LCEs only deform between two shapes for each actuation cycle upon liquid crystal-isotropic phase transitions induced by external stimuli. Here, we propose to regulate the actuation modes and the locked shapes of a pre-orientated epoxy LCE by combining dynamic covalent bonds with cooling-rate-mediated control. The actuation modes can be adjusted on demand by exchange reactions of dynamic covalent bonds. Derived from the established actuation modes, such as elongation, bending, and spiraling, the epoxy LCE displays varied locked shapes at room temperature under different cooling rates. Various mediums are utilized to control the cooling rate, including water, silicone oil, and copper plates. This approach provides a novel way for regulating the actuation modes and locked shapes of cutting-edge intelligent devices.