Synthesis and characterization of cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer films

Abstract

A series of liquid crystal elastomer films (the P_BC series) have been synthesized by grafting liquid crystal (LC) monomer 4-allyloxybenzoic acid cholesteryl ester (M_B) and crosslinking agent [1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diyl bis(undec-10-enoate) (M_C) onto polymethylhydrosiloxane catalyzed by hexachloroplatinic acid at 60 °C. The P_BC series are cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the P_BC series are between 23-33 °C, and the LC range is above 200 °C. The temperatures of 5% weight loss of the P_BC series are above 300 °C, which shows good thermal stability. The P_BC series display good orientation. P_B3C3 shows a good ability of shape recovery above T_g.

Keywords:

• Liquid crystal
• elastomer film
• shape memory
• cholesteric phase

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work is supported by “the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities” (N182410001 and N180705004) and supported by the National Training Program of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Undergraduates (Project 202110145008).