Synthesis and characterisation of biodegradable liquid crystal elastomer with the property of shape recovery

ABSTRACT

Novel shape recovery biodegradable liquid crystal (LC) elastomer is reported here for the first time. The method of synthesis of the shape memory biodegradable LC elastomer has been explored. During the reaction, the LC molecules are added to form LC polymers, and then cross-linking agent is added to form a cross-linked LC elastomer. The LC elastomer in this work is hydrophilic. In vitro degradation of the LC elastomer films in a buffer of pH 7.4 at 37°C shows that the LC elastomer has good degradability. The biodegradable LC elastomer exhibits liquid crystalline behaviour and has shape memory ability. Its shape memory and actuating properties also have been studied. The reversible transition from liquid crystalline phase to isotropic phase is utilised as the switching mechanism for these stimuli-responsive materials. When reheating the LC elastomer to 120°C, the shape will recover.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Liquid crystal
• liquid crystal elastomer
• shape recovery
• polymer
• biodegradability

Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to Zhipeng Zhang for help with the modification of this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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Additional information

Funding

The authors are grateful to the National Key Technology Support Program of China [contract grant number 2008BAL55B03] and the Educational Science and Technology Program of Liaoning Province for support of this work.