Highly Durable and Tough Liquid Crystal Elastomers

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are soft materials that exhibit interesting anisotropic and actuation properties. The emerging applications of thermally actuatable LCEs demand sufficient mechanical durability under various thermomechanical cycles. Although LCEs are tough at room temperature, they become very brittle at high temperature (above their actuation temperature), which can cause unexpected failure. We demonstrate a strategy to improve the high temperature fracture and fatigue properties of LCEs by designing interpenetrating polymer networks using a second polyurethane network. By selecting the appropriate composition of the polyurethane networks, the high temperature fracture and fatigue properties of LCEs were significantly enhanced, while retaining their actuation properties. The strategy from this work will help fabricate LCE-based actuators that are tough and durable at high temperatures and under cyclic loading.