Multi-Responsive Smart Ionic Skins and Actuators with Ionic Azobenzene-Based LCEs: Heat, Light, and Mechanical Stimuli-Induced Ionic Conductivity Switching and Shape Actuations
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초록
내용
We newly designed an ionic asymmetric azobenzene-based monomer (i-AAM) and successfully polymerized i-AAM-based liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) to produce selectively uniaxially oriented ionic conductivity switchable smart skins. Depending on the polymerization process, i-AAM LCE can be obtained in monodomain and polydomain states, and can act as actuators and ionic skins, respectively. The monodomain i-AAM LCE can be contracted above TNI as well as bent upon UV light irradiation. The ionic conductivity of polydomain LCE can be switched by heat, light and mechanical deformation. By utilizing the functions of actuating and sensing for each domain state, a soft gripper that can be deformed in response to multiple stimuli and detect the degree of stimuli was developed. The multi-responsive i-AAM LCE actuators and smart ionic skins can be applied for the development of advanced soft robots. This work was supported by Basic Research Laboratory Program (RS-2023-00207836), BK21 FOUR Program.