Reprocessable and Reprogrammable Liquid Crystal Elastomers Using Poly(ether-thiourea) as Dynamic Crosslinker
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내용
The incorporation of dynamic covalent bonds within liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) can bring great benefits including reprocessability, shape reprogrammability and self-healing which are not allowed in the conventional LCEs. In this study, we present a new class of reprocessable and reprogrammable LCEs using poly(ether-thiourea) crosslinkers. Interestingly, the thiourea linkages undergo a dissociation above 120 oC evidenced by FT-IR investigation. By exploiting the dynamic nature of poly(ether-thiourea) crosslinker, we successfully demonstrate that the reprocessability of the LCE by compression molding, and the reprogrammability of the permanent shape by mechanical manipulation at elevated temperature, while preserving the capability of reversible actuation.