Healable and Rearrangeable Networks of Liquid Crystal Elastomers Enabled by Diselenide Bonds

Based on liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) materials, hierarchically structured soft actuators can meet some requirements for human-friendly working mode and execute complex tasks with intelligent adaptation to environmental changes. However, few researchers have paid much attention to the preparation methods of multicomponent/hierarchical LCE actuators. In this communication, we demonstrate the successful integration of an exchangeable diselenide chain extender for the preparation of dynamic LCEs, which could be reprogrammed on heating or under visible light illumination. Moreover, the rearrangeable polydiselenide networks could be applied to develop the self-welding technology toward fabricating hierarchically structured LCE actuators with sophisticated deformability without using any auxiliary reagent (adhesive, tape, catalysts or initiator) during the assembling process.

Automated summary

This communication demonstrates the successful integration of an exchangeable diselenide chain extender for the preparation of dynamic LCEs, which could be reprogrammed on heating or under visible light illumination. Furthermore, the rearrangeable polydiselenide networks could be utilized to develop self-welding technology for fabricating hierarchically structured LCE actuators with sophisticated deformability, without the need for any auxiliary reagents during the assembling process.