Controlled shape memory behavior of a smectic main-chain liquid crystalline elastomer

Yuzhan Li, Cole Pruitt, Orlando Rios, Liqing Wei, Mitch Rock, Jong K. Keum, Armando G. Mcdonald, Michael R. Kessler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

A smectic main-chain liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE), with controlled shape memory behavior, is synthesized by polymerizing a biphenyl-based epoxy monomer with an aliphatic carboxylic acid curing agent. Microstructures of the LCEs, including their liquid crystallinity and cross-linking density, are modified by adjusting the stoichiometric ratio of the reactants to tailor the thermomechanical properties and shape memory behavior of the material. Thermal and liquid crystalline properties of the LCEs, characterized using differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis, and structural analysis, performed using small-angle and wide-angle X-ray scattering, show that liquid crystallinity, cross-linking density, and network rigidity are strongly affected by the stoichiometry of the curing reaction. With appropriate structural modifications it is possible to tune the thermal, dynamic mechanical, and thermomechanical properties as well as the shape memory and thermal degradation behavior of LCEs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2864-2874
Number of pages11
JournalMacromolecules
Volume48
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - May 12 2015

Funding

FundersFunder number
Advanced Manufacturing OfficeDE-AC05-00OR22725
Air Force Office of Scientific ResearchFA-9550-12-1-0108
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
U.S. Department of Energy

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