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<p>Dielectric elastomers (DEs) actuated <i>via</i> the space charge mechanism are characterized by low driving electric fields (2–10 V/µm) and geometry-dependent actuation modes. Liquid crystalline dielectric elastomers (LC-DEs) leverage shape changes induced by thermo-responsive order-disorder transitions to alter their actuation mode with temperature. However, such systems are currently limited to thermal responsiveness and exhibit only two actuation modes-a constraint that stands in stark contrast to the flexibility and diverse actuation capabilities of natural muscles. To overcome this limitation, we present an azobenzene-based liquid crystalline dielectric elastomer (A-LC-DE) capable of multimodal actuation, enabled by its dual thermo- and photo-responsive shape-changing properties. The incorporation of azobenzene moieties allows for mesogen alignment <i>via</i> light attenuation during photo-inhibited network formation. This facilitates programmable thermo-responsive shape changes by varying the irradiation conditions during synthesis, thereby enabling two distinct dielectric actuation modes upon heating and cooling. Furthermore, the <i>trans-cis</i> photoisomerization of azobenzene endows the A-LC-DE with dynamic, light-responsive shape-changing behavior. This capability allows for the creation of diverse and reconfigurable actuation modes through spatially localized irradiation. As a result, our A-LC-DE exhibits multimodal electrical actuation that can be selectively guided by external thermal and optical stimuli, promising enhanced adaptability for future soft robotic systems.</p>

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Liquid Crystalline Dielectric Elastomer with Thermo- and Light-guided Multimodal Electrical Actuations

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月18日

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  • Sha-Fan Xiong,
  • Cheng-Cheng Zhang,
  • Bin-Jie Jin,
  • Bao-Chun Guo

摘要

Dielectric elastomers (DEs) actuated via the space charge mechanism are characterized by low driving electric fields (2–10 V/µm) and geometry-dependent actuation modes. Liquid crystalline dielectric elastomers (LC-DEs) leverage shape changes induced by thermo-responsive order-disorder transitions to alter their actuation mode with temperature. However, such systems are currently limited to thermal responsiveness and exhibit only two actuation modes-a constraint that stands in stark contrast to the flexibility and diverse actuation capabilities of natural muscles. To overcome this limitation, we present an azobenzene-based liquid crystalline dielectric elastomer (A-LC-DE) capable of multimodal actuation, enabled by its dual thermo- and photo-responsive shape-changing properties. The incorporation of azobenzene moieties allows for mesogen alignment via light attenuation during photo-inhibited network formation. This facilitates programmable thermo-responsive shape changes by varying the irradiation conditions during synthesis, thereby enabling two distinct dielectric actuation modes upon heating and cooling. Furthermore, the trans-cis photoisomerization of azobenzene endows the A-LC-DE with dynamic, light-responsive shape-changing behavior. This capability allows for the creation of diverse and reconfigurable actuation modes through spatially localized irradiation. As a result, our A-LC-DE exhibits multimodal electrical actuation that can be selectively guided by external thermal and optical stimuli, promising enhanced adaptability for future soft robotic systems.