6533b86dfe1ef96bd12caace
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Preparation of Soft Microactuators in a Continuous Flow Synthesis Using a Liquid-Crystalline Polymer Crosslinker
Christophe A. SerraEva-kristina FleischmannRudolf ZentelChristian Ohmsubject
chemistry.chemical_classificationMaterials sciencePolymers and Plastics[SPI.GPROC] Engineering Sciences [physics]/Chemical and Process EngineeringOrganic ChemistryMicrofluidicsMesophasePolymerCondensed Matter PhysicsElastomerIsothermal processchemistry.chemical_compoundMonomerchemistryPolymerizationPhase (matter)Polymer chemistryMaterials Chemistry[SPI.GPROC]Engineering Sciences [physics]/Chemical and Process EngineeringPhysical and Theoretical Chemistrydescription
We present the synthesis of a polymeric liquid crystalline (LC) crosslinker and its usage in the preparation of soft microactuators. The microactuators, composed of thermoresponsive liquid crystalline elastomers (LCE), are fabricated in a microfl uidic device in a continuous “on the fl y” process. The LC polymer crosslinker is miscible with the LC monomer and provides for a rapid polymerization and crosslinking. Most importantly, it promotes an enantiotropic mesophase of the mobile monomer phase, which is not provided by conventional nonmesogenic crosslinkers. This allows an isothermal handling inside the microfl uidic setup. Temperature-driven shape changes up to 65% could be achieved by judiciously optimizing the crosslinking density of the LCE particles.
year | journal | country | edition | language |
---|---|---|---|---|
2012-08-08 |