(Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.) Force-Trainable Liquid Crystal Elastomer Enabled by Mechanophore-Induced Radical Polymerization
writer：Xu, Y.; Huang, Y.; Wang, J.; Huang, S.*; Yang, H.*; Li, Q.*
keywords：Liquid Crystal Elastomer
source：期刊
specific source：Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2025, 64, e202423584.
Issue time：2025年
In nature, organisms adapt to environmental
changes through training to learn new abilities, offering
valuable insights for developing intelligent materials.
However, replicating this “adaptive learning” in synthetic
materials presents a significant challenge. This
study introduces a feasible approach to train liquid
crystal elastomers (LCEs) by integrating a mechanophore
tetraarylsuccinonitrile into their main chain,
addressing the challenge of enabling synthetic materials
to exchange substances with their environment. Inspired
by biological training, the LCEs can self-strengthen and
acquire new functionalities through mechanical stressinduced
radical polymerization. The research not only
enhances the mechanical performance of LCEs, but also
endows them with the ability to learn properties such as
flexibility, light responsiveness, and fluorescence. These
advancements are crucial for overcoming the limitations
of current materials, paving the way for the creation of
advanced intelligent soft materials with autonomous
self-improvement, akin to the adaptive skills of living
organisms.