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Abstract
New bilayered composite systems with tunable and temperature-dependent formation of periodical wrinkles on the surface are the object of this report. The samples were prepared by spin-coating deposition of a thin film of the conducting polymer poly(ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) on the surface of standard monodomain liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) films. Several bilayered materials were prepared by changing the thickness of PEDOT:PSS nanofilms. Basic characterization showed very good stability and adhesion between the two components also after performing multiple heat cycles around nematic-to-isotropic transition temperature of the LCE. Interestingly, formation of uniaxially aligned microwrinkles was observed, with most of the wrinkles aligned along perpendicular direction with respect to the nematic director, due to reversible elongation/compression of the LCE during thermal cycles.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) in the framework of ESNAM (European Scientific Network for Artificial Muscles) – COST Action MP1003. JM thanks the COST ACTION MP1003 for the short-term scientific mission STSM-MP1003–9391. VD thanks the Centre of Excellence NAMASTE (Ljubljana, Slovenia) for the financial support as visiting professor in 2011.