Preparation of Liquid Crystalline Polymer Networks Containing a Cinnamyl Group in the Main Chain with Tunable Thermal Actuation Behavior
作者：Hang Li, Rong Yang , Yating Peng, Hongwei Cao, Jinchun Li
關鍵字：actuator, liquid crystal, photocrosslinking, shape memory
論文來源：期刊
具體來源：Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics
發表時間：2019年
A seriesof liquid crystalline copolyesters (LCPs) with different concentrations of a photocrosslinking moiety have been synthesized by random polycondensation with 4,40-bis(6-hydroxyhexyloxy) biphenyl, 2-phenylsuccinic acid, and 4-(6-hydroxyhexyloxy)cinnamic acid (6HCA). Multifunctional monodomain liquid crystal networks (LCNs) with considerable and tunable actuation behavior are obtained by postphotocrosslinking. The influence of the photocrosslinkingmoiety on the phase transition behavior of the LCP and actuation behavior of the LCN has been investigated. The results suggest that incorporating 6HCA suppresses the smectic phase of the LCP and decreases the nematic-isotropic phase transition temperature. Moreover, the starting actuation temperature of the LCN decreases from 55 to 40 C as the 6HCA reached 50%. In addition, the actuation force and storage modulus of the LCN actuators are enhanced by incorporating a high concentration of 6HCA. A 1.64 MPa contractile force can be achieved, and it can lift burdens 1300 times heavier than its weight when 50% 6HCA is incorporated into the LCP.