Mechanically induced changes in confinement of liquid crystals encapsulated in elastomeric polymer coaxial fibers is presented. The combination of simple nano-scale fabrication via coaxial electrospinning with confinement sensitive responsive behavior of liquid crystals provided an opportunity to develop understanding that will enable dynamically tunable materials. Herein, coaxial electrospinning was used to fabricate aligned elastomeric polymer nanofibers that contained encapsulated responsive liquid crystals. The effect of confinement, as well as the interfacial chemistry between liquid crystal and polymer were evaluated by mechanical actuation of liquid crystal containing coaxial nanofibers. Polarized microscopy coupled with mechanical actuation was employed to elucidate the effects of dynamic confinement on the encapsulated liquid crystals T<sub>I</sub><sub>àN</sub> and director orientation. DSC analysis was utilized to demonstrate effects on liquid crystal transition temperatures. Stress-strain behavior of the materials were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis. The interplay between confinement and interfacial ordering on the encapsulated liquid crystals are discussed.

Dynamic analysis of responsive liquids in elastic coaxial nanofibers

254th National Meeting (2017)

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