Synthesis and Characterization of Liquid-Crystalline Networks: Toward Autonomous Shape-Memory Actuation
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In this paper, epoxy-based shape-memory liquid-crystalline lightly cross-linked networks (LCN) are synthesized and characterized with a view to the future development of two-way autonomous shape-memory actuators by coupling the LCN with an external epoxy-matrix. Carboxylic acids of different aliphatic chain lengths are used as curing agents for a rigid-rod epoxy-based mesogen. Thermal and liquid-crystalline (LC) properties of the LCN are investigated through calorimetric and X-ray diffraction analysis on unstretched and stretched samples. Structural and thermomechanical properties are studied by means of tensile and dynamic-mechanical analyses and the shape-memory capabilities are analyzed in terms of actuation strain and stress under partially- and fully constrained thermomechanical procedures. The results have shown the possibility to obtain LCN with isotropization temperatures above 100 °C, controlled degree of liquid crystallinity, and high actuation stress and strain by simply varying the aliphatic chain length of the curing agent. Moreover, by properly adjusting the programming conditions (stress level), it is possible to optimize and stabilize the actuation performance. In addition, the effects of the liquid-crystalline domains on the network relaxation and their degree of orientation after programming at the different stress levels have been discussed. Overall, proper design of chain length and stress level allows strain actuation to be modulated from low, ∼60%, to hi…
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Two-way shape memory composites/laminates usually have two layered polymeric networks made of both SMPs, both non-SMPs, or a layer of a SMP and a non-SMP.
“Two-way shape memory composites/laminates usually have two layered polymeric networks made of both SMPs, or both non-SMPs, or a layer of a SMP and a non-SMP [147-153].”
From Two-Way and Multiple-Way Shape Memory Polymers for Soft Robotics: An Overview (2020) · cites this paper as [153]
Cites
Liquid crystalline elastomers as actuators and sensors
Ohm, C., Brehmer, M., & Zentel, R. (2010) · Advanced Materials · doi:10.1002/adma.200904059 · Cited by 1,169 · see citing works
Two-way reversible shape memory effects in a free-standing polymer composite
Westbrook, K. K., Mather, P. T., Parakh, V., Dunn, M. L., Ge, Q., Lee, B. M., & Qi, H. J. (2011) · Smart Materials and Structures · doi:10.1088/0964-1726/20/6/065010 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
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Thermally-induced two-way shape memory polymers: Mechanisms, structures, and applications
Zare, M., Prabhakaran, M. P., Parvin, N., & Ramakrishna, S. (2019) · Chemical Engineering Journal · doi:10.1016/j.cej.2019.05.167 · Cited by 330 · see citing works
Two-Way and Multiple-Way Shape Memory Polymers for Soft Robotics: An Overview
Scalet, G. (2020) · Actuators · doi:10.3390/act9010010 · Cited by 209 · see citing works
Shape memory behavior of liquid-crystalline elastomer/graphene oxide nanocomposites
Marotta, A., Lama, G. C., Ambrogi, V., Cerruti, P., Giamberini, M., & Gentile, G. (2018) · Composites Science and Technology · doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2018.03.002 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Self-citation
- Authors
- Belmonte, A., Lama, G. C., Gentile, G., Fernández-Francos, X., De la Flor, S., Cerruti, P., & Ambrogi, V.
- Affiliations
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili (ES)
- National Research Council (IT)
- Thermodynamics Laboratory ETSEIB, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Av. Diagonal, 647, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans, 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
- University of Naples Federico II (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Cerruti, Pierfrancesco
- Ambrogi, Veronica
- Venue
- The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Published
- 2017-09-29
- Volume
- 121
- Issue
- 40
- Pages
- 22403-22414
- ISSN
- 1932-7447 (ISSN-L)
- 1932-7455
- OpenAlex
- W2753976593
- Cited by
- 28
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 3.61
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Licence
- other-oa
- Locations
- The Journal of Physical Chemistry C (publishedVersion)
- RECERCAT (Consorci de Serveis Universitaris de Catalunya) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- UPCommons institutional repository (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Funders
- Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci?n (MAT2014- 53706-C03-02, MAT2014-53706-C03-01)
- Generalitat de Catalunya (2014-SGR-67)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Advanced Materials and Mechanics
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials › Liquid Crystal Research Advancements
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Polymer composites and self-healing
- Keywords
- liquid crystalline networks, shape memory polymers, curing agents, aliphatic chain length, isotropization temperature, actuation strain, actuation stress, thermomechanical actuation, network relaxation, chain orientation, autonomous actuation
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