Azobenzene-functionalized liquid crystal polymer networks (azo-LCN) have been well-known to convert light energy stimulus into mechanical work. Employing twisted nematic (TN) geometry, we investigated photomechanical responses of azo-LCN upon exposure to linearly polarized 442 nm irradiation. The TN azo-LCN exhibited large scale photodirected out-of-plane mechanical deformation. (i.e, coiling). Out-of-plane deformation is beneficial to form 3-dimensional structures, which is essential to design complex architectures. Low intensity laser irradiation provided isolation of the photomechanical phenomenon from photothermal contributions observed upon exposure to higher intensities.

3D mechanical deformations of azobenzene functionalized liquid crystalline polymer networks

245th National Meeting (2013)

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