Liquid-crystalline molecular self-assembly has become an attractive strategy to enhance mass transport and mechanical strength. Herein we report low-voltage-driven actuators based on photo-cross-linked ionic columnar liquidcrystalline polymer films integrating ionic liquids into nanoscale 1D channels. We have unveiled the effect of nanochannels on the actuator performance. The nanostructured actuator exhibits larger deformation and generated force compared with the corresponding amorphous actuator. The concept of nanosegregation consisting of liquid and anisotropic rigid domains will open up a promising pathway for electroactive actuator design.
In this study, a series of double network (DN) hydrogels with rhodamine (Rh) chromophore were prepared via two-step thermal/redox free radical polymerisations. We synthesized triacrylic ester modified Rh (Rh–TA) and...
Self-assembly of ionic molecules into hierarchical ordered structures is a promising route to new types of solid electrolytes with enhanced ion transport. Herein, we report a liquid-crystalline polymer electrolyte membrane that contains three-dimensionally (3D) interconnected ionic pathways. To build this membrane, we used wedge-shaped amphiphilic molecules that have two ionic heads and a lipophilic tail. These molecules were combined with a low content of ionic liquid (5.6 wt %) to form a hexagonal columnar phase, where the selfassembled lipophilic cylinders were surrounded by the ionic shell. Photopolymerization of this phase produced flexible nanostructured films with 3D ionic pathways, which can serve as an electrolyte layer in soft robotic actuators. Ionic transport in the 3D pathways leads to shape memory capability as well as durable bending actuation with a voltage-controllable blocking force. Furthermore, we find a significant enhancement of actuation for the nanostructured electrolyte compared with the corresponding amorphous electrolyte.
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