The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

This work introduces a solvent-free, radical-initiated thiol–ene polymerization strategy for the fabrication of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). A series of diallyl monomers incorporating twin biphenyl mesogenic units were synthesized, from which an optimal monomer was selected and then copolymerized with a multifunctional thiol. Network formation induces a distinct nematic-to-smectic phase transition from monomer to polymer. The structural organization, mechanical performance, and thermal properties of the resulting elastomers were systematically investigated. Notably, the pristine LCE exhibits thermal reprocessability while preserving its ordered microstructure. Owing to the highly ordered smectic mesophase, the LCEs display an enhanced thermal conductivity (0.4 W m^-1 K^-1), nearly twice that of conventional thermoset polymers.