Copper‐Coated Liquid‐Crystalline Elastomer via Bioinspired Polydopamine Adhesion and Electroless Deposition

Abstract

This study explores the functionalization of main-chain nematic elastomers with a conductive metallic surface layer using a polydopamine binder. Using a two-stage thiol-acrylate reaction, a programmed monodomain was achieved for thermo-reversible actuation. A copper layer (∼155 nm) was deposited onto polymer samples using electroless deposition while the samples were in their elongated nematic state. Samples underwent 42% contraction when heated above the isotropic transition temperature. During the thermal cycle, buckling of the copper layer was seen in the direction perpendicular to contraction; however, transverse cracking occurred due to the large Poisson effect experienced during actuation. As a result, the electrical conductivity of the layer reduced quickly as a function of thermal cycling. However, samples did not show signs of delamination after 25 thermal cycles. These results demonstrate the ability to explore multi-functional liquid-crystalline composites using relatively facile synthesis, adhesion, and deposition techniques.

Preparation of Stable Superhydrophobic Coatings on Wood Substrate Surfaces via Mussel-Inspired Polydopamine and Electroless Deposition Methods

“…A typical reduced copper nanoparticle approach was conducted under a weak alkaline and ambient-temperature condition [ 18 , 19 ]. This method can be used for applying material to a wood surface to construct a hierarchical roughness structure with slight degradation of the wood components and structures, thus retaining the pristine strength of the wood.…”

Tunable Artificial Iris Controlled by Photo/Thermal Exposure Based on Liquid Crystalline Elastomers

“…From the published literature, [19][20][21] the LCE with polydomain arrangement was prepared by thiol-acrylate Michael addition. The diluted base catalyst dipropylamine was dropped into the prepared liquid crystal mixture.…”

“…Furthermore, a thiolacrylate Michael addition for the fabrication of a monodomain liquid crystalline elastomer was proposed. [19][20][21][22] The molecular arrangement of liquid crystals can be regulated with external forces and fixed during the second polymerization. This method can easily design LCEs for 3D or 2D actuations.…”

A Universal Photochemical Method to Prepare Carbohydrate Sensors Based on Perfluorophenylazide Modified Polydopamine for Study of Carbohydrate-Lectin Interactions by QCM Biosensor

“…Under alkaline conditions [30,31], the catechol group of PDA will be oxidized to the ortho-benzoquinones, which can react with the nucleophilic group by Michael addition reactions and Schiff-base reactions, such as amino and thiol groups [32]. Compared with traditional methods [33,34], this method has the advantages of a mild reactive condition and user-friendly control, which is widely used on various material surfaces. In our previous work, we successfully prepared a protein sensor which was functionalized by PDA to analyze the interactions between proteins [35].…”