Abstract
An approach is proposed to create robust liquid crystalline polymer coatings that exhibit sensitivity and dynamic reversibility toward multiple external stimuli including UV irradiation and electrical input. This coating spontaneously alters its surface topographic texture and thickness in response to each of these signals. The corresponding deformations are induced by the photo-/electromechanical properties and dielectric anisotropy in the liquid crystal networks through order parameter reduction and anisotropic volume expansions. The deformation proceeds fast within several seconds both for activation and for the relaxation to the initial state upon switching the trigger(s) on and off. Light and electric field can be applied independently to excite the topographies or in a synergistic manner to enhance the deformation amplitude. Upon elimination of the combined light and electric actuating trigger, the relaxation to the initial close to flat state follows a complex pathway. Depending on the elimination order the topographic structure can be rapidly erased or can be kept in a bistable state. The results of this study are relevant for various fields, for instance, switchable controlled friction, controlled adhesion, and release of objects and haptics where they affect human perception both in passive and dynamic manner.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1901681 |
| Journal | Advanced Functional Materials |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 1 Jan 2019 |
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Keywords
- dual-responsive
- dynamic surface topographies
- electricity
- light
- liquid crystal networks
Cite this
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Combined light and electric response of topographic liquid crystal network surfaces. / Feng, Wei; Broer, Dirk J.; Liu, Danqing (Corresponding author).
In: Advanced Functional Materials, 01.01.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Combined light and electric response of topographic liquid crystal network surfaces
AU - Feng, Wei
AU - Broer, Dirk J.
AU - Liu, Danqing
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - An approach is proposed to create robust liquid crystalline polymer coatings that exhibit sensitivity and dynamic reversibility toward multiple external stimuli including UV irradiation and electrical input. This coating spontaneously alters its surface topographic texture and thickness in response to each of these signals. The corresponding deformations are induced by the photo-/electromechanical properties and dielectric anisotropy in the liquid crystal networks through order parameter reduction and anisotropic volume expansions. The deformation proceeds fast within several seconds both for activation and for the relaxation to the initial state upon switching the trigger(s) on and off. Light and electric field can be applied independently to excite the topographies or in a synergistic manner to enhance the deformation amplitude. Upon elimination of the combined light and electric actuating trigger, the relaxation to the initial close to flat state follows a complex pathway. Depending on the elimination order the topographic structure can be rapidly erased or can be kept in a bistable state. The results of this study are relevant for various fields, for instance, switchable controlled friction, controlled adhesion, and release of objects and haptics where they affect human perception both in passive and dynamic manner.
AB - An approach is proposed to create robust liquid crystalline polymer coatings that exhibit sensitivity and dynamic reversibility toward multiple external stimuli including UV irradiation and electrical input. This coating spontaneously alters its surface topographic texture and thickness in response to each of these signals. The corresponding deformations are induced by the photo-/electromechanical properties and dielectric anisotropy in the liquid crystal networks through order parameter reduction and anisotropic volume expansions. The deformation proceeds fast within several seconds both for activation and for the relaxation to the initial state upon switching the trigger(s) on and off. Light and electric field can be applied independently to excite the topographies or in a synergistic manner to enhance the deformation amplitude. Upon elimination of the combined light and electric actuating trigger, the relaxation to the initial close to flat state follows a complex pathway. Depending on the elimination order the topographic structure can be rapidly erased or can be kept in a bistable state. The results of this study are relevant for various fields, for instance, switchable controlled friction, controlled adhesion, and release of objects and haptics where they affect human perception both in passive and dynamic manner.
KW - dual-responsive
KW - dynamic surface topographies
KW - electricity
KW - light
KW - liquid crystal networks
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85065041472&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/adfm.201901681
DO - 10.1002/adfm.201901681
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85065041472
JO - Advanced Functional Materials
JF - Advanced Functional Materials
SN - 1616-301X
M1 - 1901681
ER -