An Amino‐Yne Click Chemistry Approach for Multi‐Responsive Liquid Crystal Elastomer Actuators
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The spontaneous amino-yne click reaction is introduced for the first time as a fast, efficient, and ambient temperature strategy for preparing multi-responsive Liquid Crystal Elastomer (LCE) actuators. This synthetic approach relies on the amino-yne cross-linking between secondary amines along the main chain of poly(β-amino ester) liquid crystal oligomers and a dipropiolate-functionalized cross-linker, rendering β-aminoacrylate cross-linking points. After alignment and locking via dynamic transesterification at 30 °C, the resulting LCE actuators exhibit reversible and reproducible thermal and light-induced actuation. The generated tension and activation kinetics are easily tunable by adjusting the cross-linker content. Additionally, leveraging the acid-triggered reactivity of the network enables it to respond to additional stimuli, including water-driven actuation. By integrating the capability for dynamic bond exchange, this LCE formulation opens new avenues for designing structures with complex molecular orientation patterns. As a proof of concept, a star-shaped soft actuator is fabricated, demonstrating diverse programmable actuation modes.
Source: Small
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,790
Funders: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Dipartimenti di Eccellenza, European Commission, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Universidad de Zaragoza, Gobierno de Aragón, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Departamento de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, Gobierno de Aragón
Awards: G1303340219, G1401168639, G1855990336, G2059866026, G2262748287, G2660406951, G3020948319, G3082032993, G3480869486, G349346387, G3518538256, G3681454997, G3845300180, G3945525359, G4042783231, G425668148, G4293424916, G4989481848, G5148532935, G5421974903, G6619481953, G7084143925, G7228697928, Cristales Líquidos y polímeros, G766069702, G79524481, G8033231456, G8574095611, G983705713
OpenAlex ID: W4415617169