Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • The newly synthesized diselenide bond molecule (DSeAc) exhibits excellent bond exchange ability due to the lower bond energy between selenium atoms, enabling seamless bonding of LCE matrices under mild conditions. • • The function block combination strategy integrates a CLCE film and an NLCE actuator into a monolithic film, allowing tailored functional characteristics for diverse applications. • • The approach addresses the challenge of combining the mechanical advantages of NLCEs with the optical properties of CLCEs, overcoming limitations of high-voltage actuation in previous systems. • • The resulting material shows potential in information storage, anti-counterfeiting, and biomimetics, with the ability to induce deformation in CLCEs through the actuation of the NLCE matrix.
Abstract
Nematic liquid crystal elastomers (NLCEs) exhibit excellent mechanical properties and diverse deformation modes, while cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs) as photonic crystals (PCs) possess superior optical performance and intelligent response characteristics. Combining these two elastomers into a monolithic material is a challenging yet promising endeavor. Here, we designed and synthesized a new diselenide-bonded molecule (DSeAc), whose lower bond energy between selenium atoms endows it with excellent bond exchange ability. Consequently, two LCE matrices containing DSeAc molecules can achieve seamless bonding under mild conditions via dynamic diselenide bond exchange. By integrating a CLCE film and an NLCE actuator into a monolithic film, we enable the integration of two functional components, whose functional characteristics can be tailored as required. This function block combination strategy offers a promising pathway for developing smart materials with complex functions, showing great potential in information storage, anti-counterfeiting, and biomimetics.
1. Introduction
Photonic crystals (PCs) with stimuli-responsive characteristics have attracted significant research interest for applications in information storage, anti-counterfeiting, and intelligent bionics. Cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs), as one-dimensional PCs, combine the properties of PCs and LCEs, with reflection color tunable by mechanical deformation. However, integrating CLCEs with actuators typically requires high-voltage driving, posing safety risks and limiting practical deployment. The challenge lies in selecting an appropriate matrix material with multiple actuation modes to induce controlled deformation in CLCEs.
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are promising soft actuators due to their unique mesogenic anisotropy, enabling stimuli-responsive contraction upon heating above the isotropic temperature. By incorporating photothermal or other responsive materials, LCEs can be actuated by various stimuli. This work introduces a novel function block combination strategy using a diselenide-bonded molecule (DSeAc) to seamlessly bond a CLCE film and an NLCE actuator into a monolithic material. This approach enables the integration of optical and mechanical functionalities, overcoming the limitations of previous high-voltage systems and paving the way for advanced smart materials.
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Shuoning Zhang, Jiale Liu, Jianying Zhang, Chang Sun, Yunxiao Ren, Lanying Zhang, Wei Hu, Huai Yang (2026). Function block combination in light-driven cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer actuator. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-3742-5
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the bond energy of the diselenide bond in DSeAc and how does it facilitate bonding under mild conditions?
The diselenide bond in DSeAc has a lower bond energy compared to typical covalent bonds, enabling efficient bond exchange at mild temperatures. This allows seamless bonding of LCE matrices without harsh conditions, as demonstrated in the study.
How does the function block combination strategy achieve tailored functional characteristics?
By integrating a CLCE film and an NLCE actuator into a monolithic film, the strategy allows independent optimization of each component. The CLCE provides photonic properties, while the NLCE offers mechanical actuation, enabling tailored responses for specific applications.
What are the potential applications of this material in information storage and anti-counterfeiting?
The material's ability to change structural color in response to mechanical deformation makes it suitable for information storage and anti-counterfeiting. The integration of CLCE and NLCE allows dynamic color changes that can be controlled by light-driven actuation, offering secure and reversible encoding.
How does this approach compare to previous methods that used dielectric elastomers for CLCE actuation?
Previous methods required high voltages to actuate dielectric elastomers, posing safety risks. This work uses light-driven NLCE actuators, which are safer and allow remote and precise control. The diselenide bonding enables seamless integration without compromising the performance of either component.
What are the scalability and manufacturing considerations for this function block combination strategy?
The synthesis of DSeAc and the bonding process are relatively straightforward, potentially allowing scalability. However, further optimization of the bonding conditions and film fabrication is needed to ensure uniformity and reproducibility for industrial production.
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