Ionic Conductivity Switchable and Shape Changeable Smart Skins with Azobenzene‐Based Ionic Reactive Mesogens

Abstract

To develop smart ionic skins capable of multi‐responsiveness and switchable ionic conductivity, a stimuli‐responsive and ionic conductive azobenzene‐based monomer is newly synthesized, uniaxially oriented, and polymerized for anisotropic liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). Since the uniaxially oriented monodomain LCE with ionic asymmetric azobenzene monomers (i‐AAM) is prepared by thermal oligomerization, uniaxial stretching, and subsequent photopolymerization, the stimuli‐responsive i‐AAM LCE is thermally contracted by increasing the temperature above TNI as well as is bent along the aligned direction by irradiating it with UV light. In addition to the change of shape, the ionic conductivity of the LCE is reversible in response to heat and light stimuli. Polydomain i‐AAM LCE polymerized without the stretching process exhibits higher ionic conductivity than stretched monodomain LCE due to the initially formed stable ionic pathways. Ionic conductivity can also be switched simultaneously by polarity changes in response to the photoisomerization of i‐AAM, increased mobility from heat, and an elastic mechanoresponse from external stresses. These i‐AAM LCE‐based soft grippers exhibit stimuli‐responsive grasping and releasing actuation and detect ionic conductivity switches finely, suggesting potential as smart skins for advanced soft robots.

Chirality-induced supramolecular nanodishes: enantioselectivity and energy transfer

“…19,20 Chiral molecules can be synthesized by introducing an appropriate asymmetric center to a molecule. [21][22][23] This is followed by an exploration of the chirality of the supramolecular aggregates by employing various techniques.…”

Biocompatible Tough Ionogels with Reversible Supramolecular Adhesion

“…1,2 They inherit the characteristics of ILs, such as nonflammability, nonvolatility, good ionic conductivity, and excellent chemical stability. 3−5 Due to these properties, ionogels have been extensively studied and applied in various cutting-edge scientific and technological fields, including ionic skin, 6,7 soft robotics, 8,9 and energy storage devices. 10,11 In practical applications, ionogels suffer from low strength, poor deformation capacity, and sensitivity to crack extension due to the lack of energy dissipation mechanisms, which seriously affects their service life and range of use.…”

“…Ionogels are composed of polymer materials with three-dimensional network structure and ionic liquids (ILs) as the dispersion medium. , They inherit the characteristics of ILs, such as nonflammability, nonvolatility, good ionic conductivity, and excellent chemical stability. − Due to these properties, ionogels have been extensively studied and applied in various cutting-edge scientific and technological fields, including ionic skin, , soft robotics, , and energy storage devices. , …”