Multiresponsive Cylindrically Symmetric Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Elastomer Fibers Templated by Tubular Confinement

2023-04-26

Cylindrically symmetric cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer (CLCE) fibers templated by tubular confinement are reported, displaying mechanochromic, thermochromic, and thermomechanical responses. The synthesis inside a sacrificial tube secures radial orientation of the cholesteric helix, and the ground state retroreflection wavelength is easily tuned throughout the visible spectrum or into the near-infrared by varying the concentration of a chiral dopant. The fibers display continuous, repeatable, and quantitatively predictable mechanochromic response, reaching a blue shift of more than −220 nm for 180% elongation. The cylindrical symmetry renders the response identical in all directions perpendicular to the fiber axis, making them exceptionally useful for monitoring complex strains, as demonstrated in revealing local strain during tying of different knots. The CLCE reflection color can be revealed with high contrast against any background by taking advantage of the circularly polarized reflection. Upon heating, the fibers respond—fully reversibly—with red shift and radial expansion/axial contraction. However, there is no transition to an isotropic state, confirming a largely forgotten theoretical prediction by de Gennes. These fibers and the easy way of making them may open new windows for large-scale application in advanced wearable technology and beyond.

cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer fibers; cylindrical symmetry; mechanochromism; soft actuators; thermochromism; tubular confinement; info:eu-repo/semantics/article

Open access content. Open access content
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess

English

LULUX oai:orbilu.uni.lu:10993/55378
info:doi:10.1002/advs.202301414
PMID:37186075
WOS:000976044900001
1393047123

UNIV OF LUXEMBOURG
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