Study of the optical, thermal, and mechanical properties of nematic liquid crystal elastomers

Mani, Santosh A.; Hadkar, Sameer; Jessy, P J; Lal, Suman; Keller, Patrick; Khosla, Samriti; Sood, Nitin; Sarawade, Pradip B.

doi:10.1080/15980316.2016.1241832

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…The mechanical, energy absorbing, and thermal coefficient properties of polymers all vary as a function of temperature, especially around the glass transition . Therefore, the T g of an LCE is a crucial design consideration in development of LCE materials for applications.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

“…The mechanical, energy absorbing, and thermal coefficient properties of polymers all vary as a function of temperature, especially around the glass transition. 12 Therefore, the T g of an LCE is a crucial design consideration in development of LCE materials for applications. We now explore the dependence of T g on crosslinker (RM82) concentration and the templating phase in which the LCE is polymerized (nematic or isotropic) for the A6OCB/RM82 system using both experimental (DSC) and computational (MD simulations) approaches.…”

Section: ■ Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many LCE investigations focus on their direct applications such as artificial muscles, − energy absorption, − or soft robotics . A growing number of studies have begun to explore the pure mechanical properties of LCEs. − Such studies typically report on a single chemical composition and single synthesis templating. There is an emerging ability to control properties through chemical composition − or synthesis templates, , though the complexity of some LCE fabrication techniques can make modifications in this regard difficult.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Toward In Silico Design of Highly Tunable Liquid Crystal Elastomers

et al. 2022

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In this work, a two-component acrylate liquid crystal elastomer, with varying composition and templating phase, is synthesized in the laboratory and investigated in parallel using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. The anisotropic nature of both the mono-and bifunctional acrylates used in this study enables a large tunability in the compositional range while still retaining liquid crystalline properties in the final elastomer. The use of simulations allows important evaluation and comparison of physical properties such as glass transition temperature, nematic to isotropic phase transition temperature, and order parameter. The dependence of physical properties (glass transition, nematic to isotropic transition, order parameter, coefficient of thermal expansion, and mechanical properties) is established as a function of chemical composition, showing a high degree of tunability. Interestingly, the templating phase (nematic or isotropic) is also shown to impact the subsequent elastomer properties, with excellent agreement shown here between experiments and simulations. The in silico approach to polymerization, coupled with excellent comparison with the experimental system, represents a new methodology for the targeted design of liquid crystal elastomers with specific physical properties.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: ■ Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Toward In Silico Design of Highly Tunable Liquid Crystal Elastomers

et al. 2022

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“…One burgeoning area of macromolecular research is focused on programming mechanical responses in these materials. Spatial or hierarchical variation (localization) of the mechanical properties (response) is necessary to induce shape change, surface reconfiguration, or other functional properties such as optical, acoustic, or thermal . Toward this end, a variety of approaches have been pursued including polymer/polymer composites, polymer nanocomposites, hydrogels, − or covalent networks …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Spatial or hierarchical variation (localization) of the mechanical properties (response) is necessary to induce shape change, 9 surface reconfiguration, 10 or other functional properties such as optical, 11 acoustic, 12 or thermal. 13 Toward this end, a variety of approaches have been pursued including polymer/polymer composites, 14 polymer nanocomposites, 15 hydrogels, 16−18 or covalent networks. 19 This Viewpoint reviews the directed self-assembly of liquid crystals to prepare "pixelated" polymers, for example, polymeric materials with programmed local functionalities.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Pixelated Polymers: Directed Self Assembly of Liquid Crystalline Polymer Networks

et al. 2017

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Polymeric materials are pervasive in modern society, in part attributable to the diverse range of properties that are accessible in these materials. Polymers can be stiff or soft, dissipative or elastic, adhesive or nonstick. Localizing the properties of polymeric materials can be achieved by a number of methods, including self-assembly, lithography, or 3-d printing. Here, we detail recent advances in the preparation of "pixelated" polymers prepared by the directed self-assembly of liquid crystalline monomers to yield cross-linked polymer networks (liquid crystalline polymer networks, LCN, or liquid crystalline elastomers, LCE). Through the local and arbitrary control of the orientation of the liquid crystalline units, monolithic elements can be realized with spatial variation in mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical, or acoustic properties. Stimuli-induced variation of these properties may enable paradigm-shifting end uses in a diverse set of applications.

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