Elastocaloric effect in amorphous polymer networks undergoing mechanotropic phase transitions

Deformations of amorphous polymer networks prepared with significant concentrations of liquid crystalline mesogens have been recently reported to undergo mechanotropic phase transitions. Here, we report that mechanotropic phase transitions are accompanied by an elastocaloric response (Delta T = 2.9 K). Applied uniaxial strain to the elastomeric polymer network transitions the organization of the material from a disordered, amorphous state (order parameter Q = 0) to the nematic phase (Q = 0.47). Both the magnitude of the elastocaloric temperature change and the mechanically induced order parameter are dependent on the concentration of liquid crystal mesogens in the material.

Automated summary

Deformations of amorphous polymer networks prepared with significant concentrations of liquid crystalline mesogens have been reported to undergo mechanotropic phase transitions that are accompanied by an elastocaloric response. The magnitude of the temperature change and the mechanically induced order parameter both depend on the concentration of liquid crystal mesogens in the material.