Shape-Tunable 4D Printing of LCEs via Cooling Rate Modulation: Stimulus-Free Locking of Actuated State at Room Temperature

Qiu, Wanglin1; He, Xiangnan2; Fang, Zeming1; Wang, Yaohui1; Dong, Ke1; Zhang, Guoquan1; Xu, Xuguang1; Ge, Qi2; Xiong, Yi1

2023-09-28

10.1021/acsami.3c10210

ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES   Impact Factor & Quartile

1944-8244

1944-8252

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) have garnered considerable attention in the field of four-dimensional (4D) printing due to their large, reversible, and anisotropic shape-morphing capabilities. By utilizing direct ink writing, intricate LCE structures with programmable shape morphing can be achieved. However, the maintenance of the actuated state for LCEs requires continuous and substantial external stimuli, presenting challenges for practical applications, particularly under ambient conditions. This study reports a straightforward and effective physical approach to lock the actuated state of LCEs through rapid cooling while preserving their reversible performance. Rapid cooling significantly reduces the mobility of the lightly cross-linked network in LCEs, resulting in a notably slow recovery of mesogen alignment. As a result, the locked LCE structures retain their actuated state even at room temperature. Moreover, we demonstrate the ability to achieve tunable shapes between the original and actuated states by modulating the cooling rate, i.e., varying the temperature and type of cooling medium. The proposed method opens up new possibilities to achieve stable and tunable shape locking of soft devices for engineering applications.

stimulus-free shape locking cooling rate intelligent gripper 4D printing

SCI

English

First ; Corresponding

National Natural Science Foundationof China[52105261] ; Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Committee[JCYJ20210324104610028] ; Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation[2022A1515010316]

Science & Technology - Other Topics ; Materials Science

Nanoscience & Nanotechnology ; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

WOS:001076154400001

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Web of Science

1.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Sch Syst Design & Intelligent Mfg, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China
2.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Mech & Energy Engn, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China

Qiu, Wanglin,He, Xiangnan,Fang, Zeming,et al. Shape-Tunable 4D Printing of LCEs via Cooling Rate Modulation: Stimulus-Free Locking of Actuated State at Room Temperature[J]. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES,2023,15(40).

Qiu, Wanglin.,He, Xiangnan.,Fang, Zeming.,Wang, Yaohui.,Dong, Ke.,...&Xiong, Yi.(2023).Shape-Tunable 4D Printing of LCEs via Cooling Rate Modulation: Stimulus-Free Locking of Actuated State at Room Temperature.ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES,15(40).

Qiu, Wanglin,et al."Shape-Tunable 4D Printing of LCEs via Cooling Rate Modulation: Stimulus-Free Locking of Actuated State at Room Temperature".ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 15.40(2023).