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Programming Shape-Morphing Behavior of Zwitterionic Polymer/Liquid Crystal Composite with Humidity-responsive Self-healing Performance

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Abstract

In this study, a zwitterionic polymer/liquid crystals composite film with programming shape-morphing behavior and humidityresponsive self-healing performance was prepared by blending a zwitterionic polymer and liquid crystalline azobenzene compound in solution, followed by film-forming in a mold without tedious or multistep synthetic route. The as-obtained zwitterionic polymer/liquid crystal composite film exhibited programming shape-morphing behavior under different stimuli. In this process, the temporary shape of the composite film was memorized after the removal of the stimuli. Such characteristics would fit the requirements of intelligence and energy-saving for stimuliresponsive shape-changing materials. Moreover, the composite film showed humidity-responsive self-healing performances under wet conditions at room temperature. In summary, the simple design and preparation route of the zwitterionic polymer/liquid crystal composite film with programming shape-morphing behavior and mild condition-responsive self-healing performance look promising for the fabrication and practical application of novel photo-driven devices and soft robotics.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51773120 and 51802201), the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (No. 2022A1515011985), the Shenzhen Science and Technology Planning Project (Nos. JCYJ20190808115609663 and JCYJ20190808123207674), and the Scientific Research Project of Guangdong Provincial Department of Education (No. 2020ZDZX2040).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China

    Shao-Jun Chen, Hui-Feng Cheng, Bin Du, Jiao-Shi Liu & Wen-Bo Shen

  2. Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer, College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China

    Hai-Tao Zhuo

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  1. Shao-Jun Chen
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  2. Hui-Feng Cheng
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Correspondence to Hai-Tao Zhuo.

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Programming Shape-Morphing Behavior of Zwitterionic Polymer/Liquid Crystal Composite with Humidity-responsive Self-healing Performance

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Chen, SJ., Cheng, HF., Du, B. et al. Programming Shape-Morphing Behavior of Zwitterionic Polymer/Liquid Crystal Composite with Humidity-responsive Self-healing Performance. Chin J Polym Sci 41, 212–221 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-022-2883-1

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